Galapagos - Must Have List
If you go to the Galapagos here is my list of must haves!
In the main book about the Galapagos the author puts in a big list of must haves that I stuck to, here is my personal list or must haves and can skip! I’ll probably think of more, but here is my first go at it!
We took this with us to (thanks Portia) and it totally kept us from burning. So I brought it to the Galapagos and was one of the few that did not have a burn as some point during the trip. I realize I am “The White Girl” – so perhaps I am a bit more paranoid about sun, but I returned with a deeper shade of white and no discomfort due to sun exposure! I would also recommend multiple re-applications throughout the day. We did use almost the entire bottle on the trip between the 2 of us!
Neoprene Booties – these keep your feet warmer in the water and are also something between your fins and your feet so things stay put and no chaffing!
Snorkle Mask – having spent a butt load of cash, pre-trip for this stuff of course you would expect us to say yes, do it, but I think it was a really nice think to have your own mask and snorkel. Knowing it was my own saliva in that mouth piece, and that it fit my face and wouldn’t leak in any water!
Dramamine 24 hour – I only used it on one overnight (the second night) with pressure cuffs, but it helped me sleep, and I wasn’t uncomfortable. I didn’t no re-dose after that and was feeling much better. I did sleep one more night with the pressure cuffs, but besides that I did ok.
Books – if you are a reader, bring more than 1 book, I finished my book mid trip.
Writing book – something to write down your thoughts on your trip. I used the pad of paper in the state room and it was a little lacking. I would have preferred something with a cover. Some thing you want to write down and not have anyone else read!
Shorts – I’d say you only need a couple for the day trips. I have a couple of light weight shorts that dry quick, so I only needed a couple.
Bandana – we could have used one of these. Hubby at some point burned his neck and it would have been useful to put it across his neck in the sun. Also a multitude of uses, like mopping sweat when doing the Survival of the Fittest hike!
Pepto – travelers diarrhea preventer. I did the 2 every day and kept things in check. If you are like hubby and I, we ended up drinking a bit of the sea water while attempting to snorkel and there some things in there, that really could have made for some unpleasant evenings (if you get my drift). Just to be safe, just take 2 every day!
REI Wicking, sun screen shirt – any brand will do, but something along those lines. Was useful to keep warm on early morning zodiac rides, or when in the sun to keep it off you. Hubby ended up buying one of the ones on the ship and it was actually pretty cool, and very useful.
Flip Flops and Tivas – as long as your feet enjoy being in both of these options. I used the Tivas during the day for wet landings and short hikes and then the flip flops at night. I enjoy having my feet barefoot, some of our group were “tired” of being in tivas.
Detergent – we ended up borrowing some from our friends, but if you decide to skimp on what you bring or want to wear your wicking shirt every day, you can wash things in the sink at night. And something about the sea water in the Galapagos – it left a couple thing with “the death smell”. So this was useful to remove it. We also learned a cool tip from a couple we had dinner with, take your wet item, place flat on a towel, roll towel, stand on towel, it gets out an amazing amount of water!
Bug Spray – we only needed it 2 times, once on a close to night hike, and up with turtles – they suggest spraying the bottom of your pants and your boots to keep the fire ants off. I doused both hubby and myself and we were some of the few with no bites. So bring some!
Breakfast Foods – ok let me qualify this. I have an issue with will power. I see a buffet and I gain pounds! I had considered bringing some breakfast drink powder stuff but in the end didn’t. I think I might have been happier and less fat had I done that. I would have known how many calories I was starting the day with and been able to better watch what I was eating. The people that post and say you are doing enough during the day to overcome what you are eating at buffets are lying! Or they just don’t eat what I eat! Or they do absolutely nothing but sit in front of the TV at home! So, if you usually have a shake for breakfast, bring it with you and stick to your routine!
Extra Sunglasses – We didn’t need them, but had we lost a pair, that would have been really bright!
Sunglass Rope – if you don’t usually wear one on your sunglasses, get something for this trip. It can get really windy on the zodiac.
Water Resistant Watch - if you are like me and rely on your phone to be your clock, you will completely lost! I would have really liked to have had one with me!
What you can skip
Hiking boots – I’d say if you have some light weight ones that you can cross use for shopping activities and scrambling over rocks, bring those. Big bulking hiking boots are overkill. Always nicer to not have on white sneakers and advertise being an American though!
Flashlight – our boat kept power all day, so we didn’t need it, except maybe in the lava tube tour.
Makeup – depending on your vanity/lazy level. You can save weight by leaving this on the mainland. I thought I’d make the effort for dinner… I didn’t.
Fancy Clothes – I brought just a couple nice outfits, and would have preferred more casual options. I’m not opposed to wearing clothes multiple times – see note on shorts – but after showing and cleaning the gook of the day off, it would have been nice to have more options to relax in.
Shampoo and Conditioner – on our boat they had a container on the wall in the shower with both those items.
Fleece – I thought this would be good for colder weather. Too big and not water resistant. Stick with the wicking shirt!
There are no comments for this entry.
[Add Comment]