The Galapagos Islands are amazing. Basically, everything you have ever heard of, that is cool and awesome...is absolutely true. You might be eye to eye with a Blue Footed Booby. You might get splashed in the face by a sea lion. You might find yourself having a conversation with a salt-spitting, crusty old marine iguana. And it is marvelous! How did it all come together? I did some research before I went, and found one of the reasons Galapagos is special is because of all the different currents that converge on the archipelago (fancy word for a group of islands). As I read, I pictured the currents as various colors, swirling and mixing as they clashed into each other. The result became a painting in acrylics and gold leaf.
As I flew into Baltra airport, I imagined what it was like to be an animal, riding in on a bit of driftwood all those years ago.
The islands are really only the top of undersea volcanos.
What would it have been like to arrive as they were formed?
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.