The fragile, moon-like landscape of the Galápagos Islands lures more than 100,000 visitors each year despite the archipelago’s remote location 600 miles off the west coast of mainland Ecuador. Ever since Darwin‘s famed visit aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835, travelers have been enchanted by its history, exotic vegetation and wildlife. In order to protect […]
Ecuador
Make a Difference with Meaningful Trip
“It doesn’t take much to do good,” claims Joe Staiano, founder of Seattle-based Meaningful Trip. He should know. At home, Staiano devotes his time to several non-profit organizations: ICO (Inner City Outings) through the Sierra Club, IRC (the International Rescue Committee) and Camp Erin, founded by All-Star major league baseball pitcher, Jaime Moyer and his […]
R.I.P. Lonesome George
I’m feeling a little blue, a little out of sorts today. All because of a 200-pound tortoise, estimated to be between 80 – 100 years old, who passed away in the Galapágos Islands on Sunday. At first glance, you might wonder at the world’s affection for such a slow-moving, plant-chomping, independent-minded creature. But Lonesome George […]
The Best of 2011: Hotels & Haciendas
Here are my top hotel choices from my travels in 2011 . . . Drumroll, please! 1) Hacienda Cusin – If you’ve been following my blog, then you already know much I loved staying at this luxurious Ecuadorian resort last summer. My only regret is that my visit was so short, only for a night. […]
2011 – Oh, What a Year!
Yours truly with guard outside Palacio de Gobierno in Quito, Ecuador As 2011 comes to an end, I’ll be posting a series of blogs this week, highlighting my travel adventures over the past year. First up: a look at a few new friends I made along the way . . . When you’re traveling solo in […]
Chasing Rainbows
“Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” – Lyman Frank Baum Call it the luck o’ the Irish, but I’ve had the good fortune to capture a few beautiful rainbows in photos on my small-ship cruises and travel expeditions. See for yourself . […]
An Evening Whalesong
There’s nothing like the crew’s call of “Whale sighting!” to wrap up our small-ship cruise adventure of the Galapagos Islands. We drop everything and run to two waiting pangas that will carry us into the heart of the action. “Hurry! Hop on!” We waste no time in following the lead of our naturalist guides, Alex and […]
Who Was That Unmasked Man?
What is it about a man in uniform? Or the sighting of a famous actor that turns otherwise sensible movie-lovers into mush? “Did you see him?” asks my guide, Giovanna. “See who?” I wonder. “Well, you know, I was having breakfast in the dining room. At first I wasn’t sure it was him. So I […]
Quito Rising
“Do you speak Spanish?” asks the unsmiling custom agent. “Well, no, not really, just a few words,” I say. “So what’s wrong with Spanish?” Uh-oh. “Nothing, nothing at all. I love Spanish! But . . . ” I begin to offer a host of excuses before I catch the twinkle in his eye. “Enjoy your […]
Tasty Snacks from Ecuador
In Quito, Ecuador I dined in the restaurant at the Hotel Mecure Alameda where I was staying and was intrigued by the snack I was served before one of my meals. The mix of popcorn, banana chips, fried corn kernels and sweet onion was an unusual combination of flavors, both salty and sweet, and definitely crunchy. I […]