Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands- Trip Report- November 2012

[CastlesandDreams]

Thanks familygoboston. I will try to add some pictures.

I read your trip report before I went on the trip and it was very helpful! Thanks!

Poor Lori and the llama, but Laura had great reflexes and grabbed that thing right off her.

No waterfalls trip, but that sounds like it would have been fun. I wonder why they changed that.

[sayhello]

Oh, cool! Looking forward to reading this when I get off of work!

Sayhello

[familygoboston]

Originally Posted by CastlesandDreams

Thanks familygoboston. I will try to add some pictures.

I read your trip report before I went on the trip and it was very helpful! Thanks!

Poor Lori and the llama, but Laura had great reflexes and grabbed that thing right off her.

No waterfalls trip, but that sounds like it would have been fun. I wonder why they changed that.

Thanks, glad it was helpful! I think they may have eliminated the hike because the bridges were looking to be in very poor repair. They kept admonishing us "not to lean our weight on the railings" and there were huge rotted out gaps in the foot bridge part...easily big enough for a small child to slip through. The itinerary was already busy busy, so if something had to go, that was starting to look a little risky, and that may be what they were thinking.
Good luck with the photos!

[kristilew]

Originally Posted by CastlesandDreams

Hi Kristilew--- are you going on this trip (Ecuador)???

Yes! We are doing the Dec 18 departure that goes over Christmas time. So excited! We were just wondering this evening if Disney movie night will be the Muppet Christmas Carol.

Got a call from ABD today just to check on us. The rep told me they have 30 booked, and several teens near my DD's age.

Thanks for your trip report - I'm soaking up every detail!

[pipch]

Originally Posted by CastlesandDreams

Thanks familygoboston. I will try to add some pictures.

I read your trip report before I went on the trip and it was very helpful! Thanks!

Poor Lori and the llama, but Laura had great reflexes and grabbed that thing right off her.

No waterfalls trip, but that sounds like it would have been fun. I wonder why they changed that.

Hi there
We did this trip this summer with Laura and Eduardo and whilst it was fabulous it was also very very hectic. We never seemed to have longer than an 3/4 hour each evening to get ready for dinner and two nights that included the packing and unpacking too!! This is our fourth trip and the one that we came home the most exhausted. The highlands sections was just so full - I realised that they had reduced the itinerary by one night and when we asked the guides they agreed that was the case but that the decision had been made not to reduce the activities. This they have finally changed - there were several comments and several new families commented that they would not repeat if this was the non stop type of itinerary to be expected. The walk was fabulous but I would have apprecaited a more leisurely pace to the rest of the days.

[CastlesandDreams]

The trip is very go, go, go. We did Italy with Globus a few years ago and it was the same exact way so the pace did not bother me. My mom has done about 20 escorted tours (with a variety of tour companies) and she would be upset if there was any down time so I guess it is hard to please everyone.

One of these days, I will get some pictures up. Work. Christmas shopping. And the world is coming to an end in less than 10 days.

[familygoboston]

I agree about pacing! We kept up, but were v tired. We do like to keep busy and I felt this was just at the edge of my energy level and I think most people Ive met are less go-go-go than we are on vacation. These trips are often multi generational and most of the seniors had to skip activities in order to get enough rest.
I like to be kept busy, but there were times when it was overwhelming to pack in 30 minutes ( and most folks need to help their kids pack too) and then rush to dinner. I think they should not have removed the day, I was disappointed about that.

My understanding is that the ABD Europe trips have several "on your own" afternoons where each family can pace their adventure to their needs. Thats' not the case on this itinerary. Certainly you can skip things; my dad rested on the bus during the market, and both folks skipped a couple of snorkels to relax on the ship instead. They also rested and packed during the craft and empanada activities.

[CastlesandDreams]

That is true---- about multi-generational. I did skip a few activites, too.

A few things I could have lived without---- The Charles Darwin Research Station and the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. Especially the latter---- I was so tired and that was just TOO much. I did mention that in my review of the trip to ABD. I would rather have gotten off the ship and spent the time shopping in the town or sitting down at one of the cafes. They should at least offer an OPTION.

Where's your next ABD trip? What other ABD trips have you done?

[familygoboston]

We did the ABD in Costa Rica also . We've done many other trips, including groups tours, but we do really like the way ABD manages their trips, especially when we are taking a trip with multi generations! I think our next one will be Italy- but not for a while, we have 3 other trips planned already and my DH wants to go to Antarctica before it melts away! ABD doesn't offer that, yet!

[kristilew]

Originally Posted by familygoboston

my DH wants to go to Antarctica before it melts away! ABD doesn't offer that, yet!

A-L does...and we've been drooling over it ever since the catalog arrived last month! http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/an...-trips-128.php

[Bobo912]

Lindblad/Nat Geo has two Anarctica itineraries. I haven't been to Anarctica, unfortunately, but we did their Galapagos trip and it was fantastic.

[familygoboston]

Originally Posted by kristilew

A-L does...and we've been drooling over it ever since the catalog arrived last month! http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/an...-trips-128.php

Originally Posted by Bobo912

Lindblad/Nat Geo has two Anarctica itineraries. I haven't been to Anarctica, unfortunately, but we did their Galapagos trip and it was fantastic.

DH is leaning towards the Nat Geo trip, my TA offers that one, but we've heard Fram is good too and a little less $. I think we would be more likely to book direct rather than a tour company on this one. We have 3 years and itineraries come out about 18 mos-2 years, so I'm using this next 6-9 months to do our research so we can book when they open...thanks for the advice and sorry to get OT!

[CastlesandDreams]

My mom has been wanting to do Antartica for years. Thanks for some tour companies to look at.

I want to go back to Italy. I think that is my favorite place that I have been to so far. Next year is London and Madrid (on our own). We rented an apartment for two weeks in London and I have very good friends that live in Madrid.