Well, we're not in Kansas (or Arkansas in this case) anymore. After months of endless waiting, we arrive in Ecuador. Fortunately, we arrive a day early and get to explore Quito. This is a fascinating city, with surrounding hills covered with endless small colorful houses. We hire a local driver, Patricio, who drives us to a local Saturday market …

Finally on the way to the Islands, although we are already pumped up by our surprisingly exciting day in Quito. We are disappointed that we arrive on Baltra late due to a flight delay, but it is amazing on vacation how much more tolerant we are of flight delays. The airport is a small building and baggage claim is a shed at the end of the …

Wow. The Millenium is a beautiful boat with a large central area and covered back deck. We meet our fellow boat-mates, some who have unfortunately not yet gotten their sea legs, and hear about the plans for our first day. We hear (for the first time of many!) that some things are 'endemic' to the Galapagos, and understand the importance of this. …

Up early and time to tour! Rabida has a darker reddish beach and a lake that we learn is so salty that few things live there. We take a boat ride around the island and find a fur seal hanging out in the rocks and nesting pelicans. Best of all is a Galapagos penguin swimming around our boat. Our guide, Jhover, imitates him perfectly and he and the …

We keep thinking that the trip can't get any better, and are continually proven wrong. Bartoleme is breathtaking: an arid volcanic landscape in contrast with the greener areas and beaches. The volcano tubes are everywhere and my kids are fascinated by how light the volcanic rock is. The snorkeling is again, great. We see literally hundreds of …

We keep thinking that the trip can't get any better, and are continually proven wrong. Bartoleme is breathtaking: an arid volcanic landscape in contrast with the greener areas and beaches. The volcano tubes are everywhere and my kids are fascinated by how light the volcanic rock is. The snorkeling is again, great. We see literally hundreds of …

Isla Lobos is truly an island of sea lions. They are EVERYWHERE. You literally have to step over them to get anywhere. We are still excited to see them, but we have seen so many at this point that it's crazy. They are surprisingly loud and roll over and grumble if you disturb them. The pups are also everywhere, and are absolutely adorable when …

Espanola Gardner Bay is very pretty and different than anything else that we've seen here. The beach is very white and looks alot like Florida, if you don't count the group of sea lions sleeping on it. One of our group lies down in the middle of them and with his prominent belly, and looks right at home! Yea, we get to snorkel again, and this time …

Espanola Gardner Bay is very pretty and different than anything else that we've seen here. The beach is very white and looks alot like Florida, if you don't count the group of sea lions sleeping on it. One of our group lies down in the middle of them and with his prominent belly, and looks right at home! Yea, we get to snorkel again, and this time …