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 […]
M/V Evolution
Land of the Iguanas
Can you spot the marine iguanas in this photo? With the night of choppy seas behind us, our morning dawns bright on the youngest of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina. For me, this is the most other-worldly island of all . . . From our dry landing at Punta Espinosa (Espinosa Point), we set off on […]
When Stomachs Plummet at Sea
Today we visit both the youngest (Fernandina) and the biggest (Isabela) Islands in the Galapagos Archipelago. But first we have to get there . . . With a 12 – 13 hour cruise ahead of us on somewhat choppy waters, the thought of motion sickness skips across my mind. It shouldn’t be a problem, I […]
Darwin’s Favorite Island
No two days are the same in the Galapagos, as we experience so much diversity in vegetation, wildlife and landscape among the islands from one day to the next. This morning is no different as we visit Darwin’s favorite one, Santiago (James). After our “wet landing” at Puerto Egas, we step barefoot onto the black […]
Cruising the Galápagos Islands
8 Islands, 4 Equator Crossings, 1 Night of Choppy Seas . . . “There are no good hair days on the Galápagos Islands,” claims Roni, a fellow passenger aboard the MV Evolution. After several futile attempts to keep my own in place, I nod, letting mine whip across my face. But then we’re not here […]
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 […]