It was the longest day ever… ok well maybe was longer…

We left the hotel at 5am, meaning a 4:15am wake up call – oofa!

We got to the airport with plenty, and I mean plenty of time!

As we headed through security, K and I headed to one side, Hubby and E took the other.

I was held back due to wrapping around some plates I had gotten. Lucky for me, they simply passed the plates back through X-Ray. Had then been unwrapped I’m not sure they would have gotten home in one piece.  As we were all gathering to continue to our gate, E was pulled aside. We think the guard were bored. They made him read a badly translated English sign about what they were going to do to him, and also sign a longer badly translated document. Eventually they made him lift his shirt and proceeded to x-ray his belly. So we determined that they through he was a mule. Now if you had seen him, he’s not all that beefy, wears a baseball cap and glasses, the least likely mule if I’ve ever seen one!

Be ware if you are ever traveling out of , they only care about liquids when you get to your gate. So don’t buy anything like water after security be before you gate! We threw away about $4 worth of water!

Our flight had a lay over in Miami – for 6 hours! Holy guacamole!

Luckily Loren was able to come down from Ft Lauderdale for the afternoon and hang with us! We spent a few of the hours at the Top of the Port Restaurant.  

To be allowed into Galapagos National Park you are required to have a Naturalist (1 per every 16 guests).  We had 5 on our ship. Graciella, William, Jessica, Craig and Danny.  We spent most of our time with Graciella. It was purely by chance, we swear! The way they usually filled the boat was first come first server, we were never rushing and never dallying so we just sort of ended up in the middle and always on Graciella’s boat!

These Naturalists were so great! Their knowledge was amazing and they were always excited, even on things we were pretty sure they saw every day!  It was very fun to be on tours with them!

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!

Bath and Body Works – True Blue® Spa Zero Tolerance - SPF 50 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion

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!

Our final day.  So sad.

We got up early to get through check out, breakfast and then waited for departure at 8:30am. Sad day! Some vacations you are ready to go home, this one, I could have stayed a bit more!

We boated and then bussed to the airport! Same as our first day but in reverse and a little more time to see things! 

At the airport we had a bit more time for souvenir shopping. We got a ceramic bobbie – googlie eyes and cute body. Then we got our tickets and were led into the VIP lounge for free drinks and lounging. We were supposed to receive the email list of the passengers there, but the boat didn’t make enough copies. So if anyone was on the Celebrity Xpedition Galapagos Cruise from April 27 – May 6 2007 – give me a  comment so we can get in touch! That was a bummer since I didn’t make a large effort to trade contact info since I would going to receive it. Bummer.

Anyhoo eventually the peeps from the L ship – more expensive, older clientele joined us in the waiting room – and dang if they aren’t pushy and obnoxious. Sigh. I was off using the rest room with K and the boys were at the bench. Some of the L people came to scam the space between them, the boys indicated that these seats were taken by their wives, the L people huffed and said fine, we’ll just sit on the other side of the bench, which meant they simply took our seats but from the other side of the bench. People really do suck some times!  So K and I got to sit on the end tables!  Had they played the elderly card and said they were just too tired to stand I’m sure the boys would have hopped up, but now they just look like pompous jack butts. But I digress.

We made it back to the main land, and returned to the Marriott, luggage in tact, but well worn from just the trip from the cruise ship to airport to mainland. Not sure where they got the damage, but there were 3 new bags between the 2 couples and they all look as if this was not their first journey!

We got to do some shopping that afternoon. It was a might more rushed than I would have liked, but we did get some things! Some plates for the walls, a ceramic penguin, a couple sweaters, a couple alpaca scarves, and some cotton scarves that we are using for table runners. Hubby and I did a bit of haggling – not at good as K and E, but we did ok.

We had our final dinner at the Hacienda hotel in Mariott – our final included meal!  Pretty tasty! Then off to bed to get ready for our 5:10am departure for the airport. Sigh.

Time to see the turtles!!!

Morning activity was the Highlands, a turtle farm!  We went on a hunt to find the giant tortoise! Our favorite naturalist Graciella brought us all around looking for these famous creatures!  We saw a couple in a mud puddle that had just fishing the mating process – proof by the mud on the female’s back.  Very cute fellas!

We saw another big fella eating passion fruits. Such powerful jaws!  We could have sat and watched for hours!

After our time on the farm we headed back to town!  We had the option of staying in town during the time between tours, so we did! Would give us time to visit the Darwin Center without the big crowds and have a nice lunch in town!

We started off to the Center, heat of the day, but cooler than it would be for the afternoon tour! We saw all the baby turtles – so cute and almost cuddly!  They are kept in pens so the birds and other wild life wont eat them!  Next to the baby pens is an outdoor pen with babies (toddlers) that were a little bit bigger and more able to fend for them selves! 

We took a walk through the pens of the other giant tortoises – some lades,  - a little gaggle of ladies with the one matriarch keeping order!  In a pen across the train were some giant fellas. A couple were eating when we entered, another 2 were crashing through the woods in the back, and one was napping in the shade! They were so big, with such cute faces!  Around the bend we saw Lonesome George – a 100 year old tortoise that is the last of his kind. They found 2 females that were closely related and put them in his pen, but he has showed no interest. Eventually they might need to clone him!

It was finally time to leave the center and feed our grumbling tummies! We misjudged a bit, and didn’t realize the Galapagos and Ecuador actually had siesta. So we missed a few stores that were closed. But our naturalist suggested Herman’s for our meal, and we gave it a shot! We chose empanadas as the safest choice (aka – not ,not on the boat, could get sick).  At the end of the meal I requested the bill – “puedo tener la cuenta” and the waitress went away and never came back – so we came to the conclusion that I somehow managed to call her a dirty hoar in the process of the request! 

We had a great day and were thrilled to pieces to see the tortoises!

Today we finally got the opportunity to do a tough hike! Itwas called Survival of the Fittest! Get the reference?  Some of the people on the boat thought theywere fit, but unfortunately for us, they were not even close. So 2 groups headed up to the abandoned salt mine! Our group had the unfit so we had to lag behind, which was a bit of a bummer!

The hike felt good, moving, heart pounding!  Not much for scenery besides the beach and the salt mine! When we reached the top we took a group photo of all the fittest! From the top we all hoofed it back down to the beach for some “swim or snorkel” activity!  (The phase was always used by our cruise directory Jorge and it cracked me up every time, he had clear English, just funny word choice). 

Hubby and I decided to just hang out in the water as opposed to snorkel.  As we were enjoying the cool water, a big school of fish came cruising by, followed by the Pelicans, diving Blue Footed Boobies and sea lions! It was amazing to see everything jumping and diving.

Later that afternoon we headed to Santa Cruz Island again to search for the big land iguanas. It was pretty hot so they were all hiding in the bush. We saw about 4 big yellow fellas! We could see their tail marks where they crossed the trails!

After we got back to the beach hubby and I headed into snorkel again. We saw some pretty colorful fishes. But the waves were big and most of the area was murky. It was our last chance to snorkel.

Early morning zodiac ride into a mangrove area! We saw lots of sea turtle as they cruised through the area and under our boat! We also saw a flock of rays cruise by – all kinds – golden and black.  On the way out we got to see our first flightless cormorants and a couple penguins.

It was a really neat tour through the mangroves to see all the different types of wild life and plants!  It was a little hard to see everything since everyone was trying to see too! And I was convinced that the whole boat was going to flip over since everyone was running to one side or the other!

We were supposed to see whales and dolphins on our lunch time cruise, but they didn’t come out. Sigh.  But we did enjoy a nice nap! Naps are great!

Our afternoon activity was a hike around Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island. We started with a landing on a submerged doc and our path was blocked by a sea lion looking for a cool place to hide!  We came across a giant whale skeleton, and then onto see the biggest marine iguanas in the glapagos! They were all fat and sluggish, resting in the sun.  We also saw yet another example of the circle of life when we came across a dead baby sea turtle (the only baby sea turtle we saw on the trip). 

We continued our walk inland. Crossing over multiple types of lava. Some mini tubes, some cragglies, some chunks, some crumbles. Very neat to see all the different types and different layers of flow. 

Then we enjoyed “Dinner under the Stars”. We got to eat on the deck, and there was a really cool pink sunset!

After dinner we got to go up top with on of the first officers and see the starts. He pointed out quite a number of different constellations

This morning we decided to skip on the flamingo tour and decided to do more snorkling! 

I needed to be less freaked out by the idea of dunking myhead!

We got to watch the Ghost crabs pop in and out of the dirt while everyone else was away. Very cute little guys!

In the water we saw mostly fishes!

The afternoon was our first slightly strenuous hike! 358 steps to the top of the Crator!

We had fun lifting the very light rocks and pretending to be strong! From the top we could see the partially submerged craters.

After our hike it was time to snorkel again! We headed out and around the pinnacle. We saw star fish, giant fish, sea cucumbers, and large large schools of fish! On our way back toward the beach I saw it, a white tipped shark! I immediately popped up to find hubby and started flailing about!  Hubby got over eventually but it was already gone!  Sigh.  The hubby of the couple we were on vacation with also saw the shark. Seems only 1 of each couple, and the ones that were most scared of the sharks got to see them, figures!

After our return we took a time in the hot tub to warm up!  We met up with part of a family with 2 little kids that were going to be traveling for 6 months! They were some wonderfully behaved children and polite!  The funny thing about the hot tub is that is was on a timer. But the timer was about 2 minutes long. Very annoying when tempting to relax!

That night we have a big celebration! It was our equator crossing party!  Right around 10pm as we crossed the line that goes round the globe!  The staff put on a cute little play where they selected a queen for King Neptune, and then her slaves! The slaves were forced to perform as different animals - fly like an albatross, dance like a boobie, do push ups like a lizard, bark like a sea lion and they all had to kiss a big old fish! It was very fun party and the staff did a great job!

1. Pink Lady (version 1) - great creamy drink! Suggested by our server

2. White Russian - another suggestion by our server

3. Grasshopper - the best suggestion by our server!  Minty alcoholic milk shake!

4. Pisco Sour -  too strong for me!  Similar to whiskey

5, Red Footed Bobbie - served in a martini glass, grenadine at the bottom, something yellowish above. Pretty strong, but yummy.

6. Blue Footed Boobie - creamy blue drink

7. Pink Lady (version 2) - this time it was made with gin and a smidge of grenadine. Not as tastey as version 1

8. Trio Merlot - wine each night with dinner. Yummy!

9. Fanta - hubby loves the orange

10. Mixto (blackberry, tree tomato, strawberry juices) - yummy

11. Tree Tomatoe Juice - our welcome to Ecuador drink. Very different and yummy

12. Champagne - lots of toasts, very yummy

13. Chocolate Milkshake - we read Fernanado made the best, and he sure did!

First stop of the morning was a trek through the island of Floreana looking for the Flamingos!  The biggest Flamingos I have ever seen. We got to see them crusing along and gleaning ity bity shrimp from the much and how they lay their eggs!

Then off to see where the sea turtles nested. We weren’t there when the babies made the trek back into the ocean, but we did get see a couple of rays just off the shore!

After our nature walk it was time for snorkeling!  I was a little nervous, the first time I snorkeled was in Hawaii (back in 96) and got no training and nearly drowned in the waves!  This time I had my super special snorkel, wet suit, mask that was fit just for my face and flippers!  Hubby got right in and was able to see stuff.  I on the other hand was having a little issue with getting my face into the water. I was a little freaked out trying to put my face in the mask in the water. No idea why, but I have to hyperventilate for a bit before I can relax and just enjoy the fishes and the scenery.  Hubby was nice enough to hold my hand and swim with me, so I eventually was comfortable enough to let go and off into the surf we went!  We got to see a couple of sea turtles cruising around below us. Eventually we figured out that we had strayed pretty far from the beach and had to swim pretty hard to get back!  We earned our over eating limit that day!

Mid day we had a couple hours to relax, so I booked a massage! It was a little different. First I had the pleasure of getting naked pretty much in front of the masseuse, then got on the table with no top sheet, then she did all kinds of different things – hot stone and heated glasses, and then I flipped over. She did full frontal massage. OH MY! I’m a bit ticklish, so besides being bizarre and uncomfortable I was giggling and twitching! It was indeed a very relaxing experience and her title was “Cure Therapist”. Not sure if i was cured, but I was relaxed

The afternoon activity was a hike to Baroness Lookout. There is a story about a Baroness that come with her 3 male companions and ended uphaving them disappear, one found ship wrecked, the other 2 missing, and theneventually she disappeared as well! Whole story here. The lookout was really pretty! On the way to the hike we saw a troup of sea lions that were playing in the bubbles from out motor till dad rounded them up and made them stay away. We also saw our first penguins!  Super cute little guys! We saw a couple of sea turtles popping up to day hello, but the minute we tried to take a picture down they would go!

Early morning Zodiac ride to see Kicker Rock. Looks like a boot – see it?  Hubby and mom-in-law couldn’t see it. Sigh, must be hereditary!

This extrusion in the middle of the ocean is simply mammoth!  As we cruise up to it in our little rubber boat I start to feel insignificant! Our boat driver takes us into a little itty bitty crevice slightly bigger than the boat, seems all fun till the tide starts to rise and therefore we rise in this little itty bitty crevice!  We could almost reach the walls on either side of us!  Since these guys do this week after week I guess they know what they are doing and need a little excitement in their lives!  We finally back out, since the other side was rapids!  We cruised around the rock and spotted different wild life living in the out croppings!

Next stop was the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island. Having read a couple books and online things this was not all that interesting. (as in, if you take this trip, you can probably skip the center or do the nature walk which we were not allowed to do).

We did do a little shopping and watching the waves! Got me my fancy Blue Footed Bobbie Hat, and hubby a new t-shirt.

Afternoon trip was to Espanola Island.  We started on a path that was blocked by some red iquanas sunning themselves.  It is really fascinating that man is of no interest to them. Great – of course, but still weird! 

We continued on our walk and came upon a pair of Galapagos Hawks – mating. I was unsure of edicate, do you clap, look away? We moved on! 

Next we got to see Blue Footed Boobies shading their eggs! They stand over them so their shadow keeps the egg cool during the hot part of the day. It really is a neat thing to see!

Then came the giant albatross! These fellas (and ladies) are huge! Wing span is enormous!  They are not the prettiest birds – they have flat head, big beaks, wide feet..  But one was on a golden colored egg. Again protecting it from the sun with it’s body. When they took off they were very graceful! Floating on the wind! This is the only island they nest on since it has a nice cliff for them to get flying from. They don’t take off well either!

Finally was the blow hole! Little hole in the lava that the wave just rushing into pushing air under water to produce a giant spray!  We weren’t allowed to get too close, but it was cool!