It is simply impossible to write a review that would do justice the our guides, the places we saw, and the amazing animals, but I will do my best.
First of all, the guys from Galakiwi, Pablo and Paolo, were just beyond anything I expected. I thought we'd have a professional guide or two but both Pablo and Paolo were more like family by the end of the trip. Pablo was just astonishing in the completeness of his knowledge, the breadth and depth, and his passion for his beloved Galapagos, especially Isabela. I was spellbound every time he spoke. He knew I wanted to see the Galapagos penguins and the blue-footed boobies because he asked each of us what we most wanted to see at the beginning of our trip. He made sure to take us to places where we were most likely to see them and I did indeed get to see them. I was so touched by his love for the Galapagos. I was prepared to love it before our trip and now will be a lifelong advocate for its conservation. Pablo went way beyond the call of duty by helping my husband buy something he needed at the Farmacia and then going to buy more of it when my husband couldn't find it again. Paolo is a treasure. He schlepped our bags and fitted our gear and handled the logistics so that nobody had to think about any of it. He was joy to spend time with; my husband and I just admired his humor and joyous spirit, his sweetness, his love of his family, and his fun and irreverent facts about life in Ecuador. (They call it CumbaYORK!!! Hilarious and spot on!) My husband and I are very curious and love feeling like we've actually talked to a real person when we travel. I especially appreciated his kindness in helping stay on my feet when walking around Las Tuneles.
The properties were fantastic! We got to stay in the dome room at Casa Blanca on San Cristobal. Hotel Albemarle was lovely (especially after we figured out that the rooms DO have air conditioning. Whew!) and Juliette, who managed it, was helpful and went beyond the call of duty to make coffee at 5am for my husband and me. The Hotel Isla Sol was in a great location and it was actually nice to wrap up our stay in the middle of a developed town after the seclusion of Isabela.
The places we visited were beyond my wildest dreams and there was such a good balance between learning, sheer fun, beauty beyond comparison, fragility of the ecosystems, and immersion in the culture of Galapagos. Kicker Rock (or Leon Dormido) was amazing. The boat cruising all the way around it so we could see its beauty from every side was very nice. The boat captain was also alert for sea life while we were traveling to and from Kicker Rock so we got to see a bunch of dolphins. The San Cristobal Interpretation Center was very interesting and gave a very good history of the Galapagos. This was one of the reasons I felt like I had really learned something about the Islands and their history beyond what I knew about Darwin and his finches.
I think it was actually good that we couldn't go to Floreana. Not having that stop enabled us to go to both Sierra Negra Volcano and Las Tuneles. I can't imagine missing either one of those. Both were majestic. Our whole group was of the opinion that future tours should be just like ours and include the opportunity to go to both. Saving time by taking the plane to Isabela from San Cristobal was a great bonus. I loved the tortoise breeding center and the work they're doing. Kayaking on Isabela was perfect. I saw my beloved penguins and blue-footed boobies. On Santa Cruz, we got to go to the Charles Darwin Research Station and see the important work they are doing. I loved the lava tubes and seeing the giant tortoises in the wild in the Santa Cruz highlands.
Our trip was perfect. It could not have been better!
Thank you!

| January 1970