1984

Off to the Islands

This morning we met our travel companions at breakfast before we board the buses to the airport.  We are booked on Avianca to San Christobol.

A short hour and a half flight to cover the 700 miles to the islands, and we are here.  More buses to the marina.

We arrived at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This is the administrative center of the Ecuadorian province of Galapagos. It has a population of over 10,000. I looked at it on google maps and the airport runway is twice the length or breadth of the town.

Once at the marina we have a couple hours to get used to island life. Shopping, local color, and beer and east at Casa Blanca.

Day One: SAN CHRISTOBAL and Board the Ship

After meeting at Casa Blanca, it was time to take the zodiac to the ship.

Once aboard, we received our room assignments and the first surprise: there are NO cabin keys. Then off to attending the orientation briefing and the abandon ship and safety drill.

Then off to the buffet lunch.

After lunch, the luggage had been delivered and then it is time for the lecture on the Natural History of the Galapagos.

At 1530 our first excursion. Around Wreck Bay.

Our first Sea Lions

Sea Lions on the Beach

Blue-footed Boobies

Drowning Juvenile Frigate Bird.  these birds do not have working oil glands to waterproof their feathers.  The result is that if a bird lands in the water, it quickly becomes too waterlogged to fly itself out of the water.

Sea Lions around the bay

The Day in Guayaquil

After arriving we hit the executive suite (part of the perks of Gold Hilton Honors status) for snacks then headed to the room to rest.

Followed by a dip in the pool:

We then went to lunch downtown. Our destination was the casual restaurant at the Hotel Continental. The restaurant was packed and the hostess sent us upstairs to the guy restaurant,  a much more tourist friendly and less local restaurant.

Leaving for Ecuador from JFK

We are booked on a LATAM flight from JFK in New York to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Departing at 11:30 pm arriving at 6:30 am.

Before departing JFK, we had dinner at Bobby Van's. Excellent well prepared burgers!

It was a great flight. We were actually given dinner! With choices!

Ricotta Tortellini with Creamy tomato Pesto, roasted zucchini and Parmesan cheese.

OR

slow cooked short ribs with malbec sauce, Lyonnaise potatoes and sauteed beans

OR

grilled chicken child with roasted Portobello mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, with a lemon cilantro dressing and mixed greens.

PLUS

wine with dinner and whiskey offering after dinner!!

Arrival was smooth and uneventful.

The Hotel Hilton Colon had a driver with a name placard to meet us.

The Hotel was quite great. They were able to check us in and let us rest up.