We are home from our fabulous Adventure! FamilygoBoston did such a great job chronicling the day-to-day points of the trip that Im not going to do a full trip report. Instead, I thought Id just share some of the highlights for us, and a few tips.
This was really a perfect trip for our family. Every little thing was just wonderful and we enjoyed ourselves every minute. We loved, loved, loved the Peru trip five years ago, and have spent some time trying to decide if this one was better. We have ended up concluding that each Adventure was perfect for who and where our family was at the time we took it. So, on to the many pluses!
THE GUIDES
Oh, wow. I cant possibly find enough positive adjectives to describe Laura and Robby! They had all the knowledge and enthusiasm and skill you would expect from a Disney guide, but they took it all to a higher level than on any of our previous Adventures. We just really clicked with both of them, and found them endlessly interesting in their own right, as well as so full of wonderful insight to the country and sights we were visiting.
My DD15 was assigned to write a paper comparing our judicial system with Ecuadors, and Robby spent over an hour in detailed conversation with her, patiently explaining the many nuances of the government as it has evolved and is continuing to evolve in Ecuador. He also had such a huge depth of knowledge on any area of Ecuador that anyone asked about, we felt like we were getting college-seminar levels of information anytime anyone asked a random question on the bus rides. Yet he made it understandable and fascinating. By comparison, on our last day in Quito, we had lunch near a couple who had hired a private guide and were having their first meeting with him. We shamelessly eavesdropped as they asked many of the questions that had arisen on our trip. The answers were nowhere near as complete, nuanced, or engaging.
Laura was endlessly supportive and knowledgeable, and constantly adding to our comfort level in a thousand little ways. She gave us such good direction before every situation and event that we always felt one step ahead and prepared for anything . For a family of control-freaks, this really added value to our trip, as we were truly able to relax and never feel anxious about anything. Even in the Otavalo market, which I found a little overwhelming, Laura seemed to sense when we hit the wall and she magically appeared at our elbow to help us bargain and to interpret for us. She had an uncanny ability to make every guest feel that she was on their side in every situation. One guest was a sort-of vegetarian, but didnt want to make a big deal out of it. Laura managed to casually drop by her table just as menus were going around, to make some suggestions for a perfect meal. Yet, it never felt like she was checking off a list or like she considered it a duty.
There are too many other examples to list, but I will be writing a long letter to ABD in praise of these two guides. Since Laura is pretty much the main American guide for this trip, if you take it in the next year or so, it is likely you will get to experience her fabulousness. I think Robby is not as much of a regular, but I know he is still planning on doing several of the 2013 departures.
On the ship, our naturalist Carlos was also fantastic. Endlessly energetic, patient when the group paused in one spot, fun for the kids, and funny with the adults. We couldnt stump him with a single question. On the farm where we visited the tortoises, I even asked him to identify a bird we could hear but not see. He did, and later my DH got a photo of the bird. Sure enough, our little field guide agreed with Carlos. DD15 is a pretty big science nut, and he was able to give detailed scientific information to her on everything from the lava fields to the currents. She was in nerd heaven.
Wow, Ive just written a novel and Im still on the first highlight. Can you tell we loved this trip?
Next up: THE FOOD
We had not expected much from the food. We remembered the Peru food as somewhat bland and boring. What a difference a country makes! Every single day, at least once, found us exclaiming over some fabulous dish. The service both in Quito and on the ship was extremely elegant and civilized. We really enjoyed all the managing of silver and stem ware, and the beautiful presentation of the various plates.
In Quito, we ate in the hotel several times, bot h in the Mexican restaurant and the steakhouse, as well as at the breakfast buffet. All were top-notch. The Argentinian beef was so tender and delicious. The Mexican food was fresh and inspired. The omelets were great, and oh , my goodness there was a chocolate/vanilla swirl pound cake-bread thingy at breakfast every morning that is my new definition of decadent. Any country that serves cake for breakfast is alright by me! This was also served at the Hacienda breakfast, which was not as lavish as the Marriott one but still tasty.
We also ate out in Quito twice for lunch at a restaurant Laura suggested, Mea Culpa. This was in Old Town on the main plaza and had gorgeous views as well as a beautiful interior. The food was divine and the service was fantastic. My little family even had lunch at the big mall one day, in a café called Hansel and Gretel, and we enjoyed the yummy comfort food they served.
On the ship, we were impressed by how rich a variety they served, and how fresh everything was. The pasta station at lunch was a big hit with everyone, and it was nice that our group got to be there first, as the line did get quite long later in the afternoon. The staff in the restaurant onboard was so attentive and proud of their meals. One of the chefs at lunch was always urging us to try something new and come back to tell him if we liked it. Javier, the dining manager, constantly checked to make sure we were happy. One night, I tried the Ostrich steak. When I really liked it, he seemed genuinely pleased, even offering to go get me more. Everything was augmented by yummy sauces and well-prepared vegetables.
There was always a chance to try typical Ecuadorian dishes, but overall it was just a nicely varied selection of very tasty dishes that represented many styles of cuisine.
THE SHIP
We really enjoyed the small-ship cruise experience, which was new to us. We are not a cruise family, a large-ship experience doesnt really appeal to us. We were so pleasantly surprised by the comfort of our room (yes, the beds were hard, as mentioned by FamilygoBoston, but we actually liked that), the elegance of the public areas, and the attentiveness of the staff. At one point, we needed towels for a snorkel excursion before they had been replenished in the rooms. Victor, our cabin steward, literally ran to another level and ran back to get them to us. I was impressed by how, while we certainly saw others on the cruise, we never felt like we were crammed into a small confined area with too many people. The room was thoughtfully laid out, with roomy closets and a useful vanity/counter area in the main room. There were two drawers that locked, serving as safes, which was useful. The shower was great! Plenty of hot water and pressure at all times. We happened to luck into a room with a balcony and we loved sitting out there at down times and sunset.
Everything for the panga expeditions ran extremely smoothly. The crew has the boarding and returning procedures down to a science, with life jackets being presented and collected with clockwork precision and guests being safely loaded or offloaded to the pangas without missing a beat. Even those with mobility issues or a little extra weight to haul, or those with bulky bags, were ably assisted in a graceful manner. The guides are now advising us to just keep our snorkel gear and wetsuits with us in the cabins maybe after FgBs experience? We had brought our own masks and snorkels, but the ones provided by the ship were brand new and those who used them seemed to like them fine. It was a true advantage to be able to go first on the excursions, and the various groups were nicely spaced so it always felt we had the islands ourselves.
The extra touches like the cute towel animals and the daily schedules delivered to our rooms were really nice. The schedules were very helpful in their detail, telling us the hike difficulty for each activity and advising what to bring. All this information was given at our nightly briefings as well, but it was nice to have it in writing. It has also been nice that we kept each one and are now using them to piece together what we did each day with our pictures. Ordering extras onboard was easy as well. The bars and restaurant kept a running tab with our cabin number and it was easy to settle the final morning. Every day a naturalist was available during some of the down time, in the ships library. (Where, by the way, you can also find a stocked cookie jar at all hours!) My husband really enjoyed consulting with him about the fish seen on the snorkels, and there were several really good books available to study as well. (DD comes by the nerd thing honestly!)
EVERYTHING ELSE
Of course, we were there to see the highlands and the islands, and these did not disappoint. We found the scenery breathtaking and the animals fascinating. All the activities Disney had us do were great, and the pacing was very good. The rose plantation and condor park were great stops, we learned a lot at both and really enjoyed them, as well as got some excellent photos. The chance to see the animals and birds of the Galapagos was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we were blown away by it. And ohmygosh those baby sea lions are cute!
I feel like so much has already been written about each activity that theres no need to go into a lot of detail, but if you have any questions, of course Im happy to elaborate.
The accommodations were very nice, though not over the top. We actually really liked the Hacienda, with the fire lit every night at the foot of our bed. The fire had an excellent draft, so while we got to enjoy it, we did not smell like smoke the next day. With an only child, we are always put together in a room instead of having a parent room and a kid room. It was nice that our room at the Hacienda was large, with a separate alcove for DDs bed, and a second full bathroom. (increasingly important as we travel with a teenage girl!) The Marriott was lovely as well.
We really lucked out with our fellow adventurers, too. It was a great group, with everyone getting along and laughing all the time. The kids ranged in age from 11 to 17. The oldest tended to stick with the adults (though not always their own families and they were a delightful addition to any table.) The rest tended to run as a pack and really enjoyed each other. Tables were set up in 4s and 6s, and everyone sort of drifted in and out of configurations to eat with each other in various groupings. It was not unusual to cram more chairs at a table when discussions got lively.
Next post...TIPS
This was really a perfect trip for our family. Every little thing was just wonderful and we enjoyed ourselves every minute. We loved, loved, loved the Peru trip five years ago, and have spent some time trying to decide if this one was better. We have ended up concluding that each Adventure was perfect for who and where our family was at the time we took it. So, on to the many pluses!
THE GUIDES
Oh, wow. I cant possibly find enough positive adjectives to describe Laura and Robby! They had all the knowledge and enthusiasm and skill you would expect from a Disney guide, but they took it all to a higher level than on any of our previous Adventures. We just really clicked with both of them, and found them endlessly interesting in their own right, as well as so full of wonderful insight to the country and sights we were visiting.
My DD15 was assigned to write a paper comparing our judicial system with Ecuadors, and Robby spent over an hour in detailed conversation with her, patiently explaining the many nuances of the government as it has evolved and is continuing to evolve in Ecuador. He also had such a huge depth of knowledge on any area of Ecuador that anyone asked about, we felt like we were getting college-seminar levels of information anytime anyone asked a random question on the bus rides. Yet he made it understandable and fascinating. By comparison, on our last day in Quito, we had lunch near a couple who had hired a private guide and were having their first meeting with him. We shamelessly eavesdropped as they asked many of the questions that had arisen on our trip. The answers were nowhere near as complete, nuanced, or engaging.
Laura was endlessly supportive and knowledgeable, and constantly adding to our comfort level in a thousand little ways. She gave us such good direction before every situation and event that we always felt one step ahead and prepared for anything . For a family of control-freaks, this really added value to our trip, as we were truly able to relax and never feel anxious about anything. Even in the Otavalo market, which I found a little overwhelming, Laura seemed to sense when we hit the wall and she magically appeared at our elbow to help us bargain and to interpret for us. She had an uncanny ability to make every guest feel that she was on their side in every situation. One guest was a sort-of vegetarian, but didnt want to make a big deal out of it. Laura managed to casually drop by her table just as menus were going around, to make some suggestions for a perfect meal. Yet, it never felt like she was checking off a list or like she considered it a duty.
There are too many other examples to list, but I will be writing a long letter to ABD in praise of these two guides. Since Laura is pretty much the main American guide for this trip, if you take it in the next year or so, it is likely you will get to experience her fabulousness. I think Robby is not as much of a regular, but I know he is still planning on doing several of the 2013 departures.
On the ship, our naturalist Carlos was also fantastic. Endlessly energetic, patient when the group paused in one spot, fun for the kids, and funny with the adults. We couldnt stump him with a single question. On the farm where we visited the tortoises, I even asked him to identify a bird we could hear but not see. He did, and later my DH got a photo of the bird. Sure enough, our little field guide agreed with Carlos. DD15 is a pretty big science nut, and he was able to give detailed scientific information to her on everything from the lava fields to the currents. She was in nerd heaven.
Wow, Ive just written a novel and Im still on the first highlight. Can you tell we loved this trip?
Next up: THE FOOD
We had not expected much from the food. We remembered the Peru food as somewhat bland and boring. What a difference a country makes! Every single day, at least once, found us exclaiming over some fabulous dish. The service both in Quito and on the ship was extremely elegant and civilized. We really enjoyed all the managing of silver and stem ware, and the beautiful presentation of the various plates.
In Quito, we ate in the hotel several times, bot h in the Mexican restaurant and the steakhouse, as well as at the breakfast buffet. All were top-notch. The Argentinian beef was so tender and delicious. The Mexican food was fresh and inspired. The omelets were great, and oh , my goodness there was a chocolate/vanilla swirl pound cake-bread thingy at breakfast every morning that is my new definition of decadent. Any country that serves cake for breakfast is alright by me! This was also served at the Hacienda breakfast, which was not as lavish as the Marriott one but still tasty.
We also ate out in Quito twice for lunch at a restaurant Laura suggested, Mea Culpa. This was in Old Town on the main plaza and had gorgeous views as well as a beautiful interior. The food was divine and the service was fantastic. My little family even had lunch at the big mall one day, in a café called Hansel and Gretel, and we enjoyed the yummy comfort food they served.
On the ship, we were impressed by how rich a variety they served, and how fresh everything was. The pasta station at lunch was a big hit with everyone, and it was nice that our group got to be there first, as the line did get quite long later in the afternoon. The staff in the restaurant onboard was so attentive and proud of their meals. One of the chefs at lunch was always urging us to try something new and come back to tell him if we liked it. Javier, the dining manager, constantly checked to make sure we were happy. One night, I tried the Ostrich steak. When I really liked it, he seemed genuinely pleased, even offering to go get me more. Everything was augmented by yummy sauces and well-prepared vegetables.
There was always a chance to try typical Ecuadorian dishes, but overall it was just a nicely varied selection of very tasty dishes that represented many styles of cuisine.
THE SHIP
We really enjoyed the small-ship cruise experience, which was new to us. We are not a cruise family, a large-ship experience doesnt really appeal to us. We were so pleasantly surprised by the comfort of our room (yes, the beds were hard, as mentioned by FamilygoBoston, but we actually liked that), the elegance of the public areas, and the attentiveness of the staff. At one point, we needed towels for a snorkel excursion before they had been replenished in the rooms. Victor, our cabin steward, literally ran to another level and ran back to get them to us. I was impressed by how, while we certainly saw others on the cruise, we never felt like we were crammed into a small confined area with too many people. The room was thoughtfully laid out, with roomy closets and a useful vanity/counter area in the main room. There were two drawers that locked, serving as safes, which was useful. The shower was great! Plenty of hot water and pressure at all times. We happened to luck into a room with a balcony and we loved sitting out there at down times and sunset.
Everything for the panga expeditions ran extremely smoothly. The crew has the boarding and returning procedures down to a science, with life jackets being presented and collected with clockwork precision and guests being safely loaded or offloaded to the pangas without missing a beat. Even those with mobility issues or a little extra weight to haul, or those with bulky bags, were ably assisted in a graceful manner. The guides are now advising us to just keep our snorkel gear and wetsuits with us in the cabins maybe after FgBs experience? We had brought our own masks and snorkels, but the ones provided by the ship were brand new and those who used them seemed to like them fine. It was a true advantage to be able to go first on the excursions, and the various groups were nicely spaced so it always felt we had the islands ourselves.
The extra touches like the cute towel animals and the daily schedules delivered to our rooms were really nice. The schedules were very helpful in their detail, telling us the hike difficulty for each activity and advising what to bring. All this information was given at our nightly briefings as well, but it was nice to have it in writing. It has also been nice that we kept each one and are now using them to piece together what we did each day with our pictures. Ordering extras onboard was easy as well. The bars and restaurant kept a running tab with our cabin number and it was easy to settle the final morning. Every day a naturalist was available during some of the down time, in the ships library. (Where, by the way, you can also find a stocked cookie jar at all hours!) My husband really enjoyed consulting with him about the fish seen on the snorkels, and there were several really good books available to study as well. (DD comes by the nerd thing honestly!)
EVERYTHING ELSE
Of course, we were there to see the highlands and the islands, and these did not disappoint. We found the scenery breathtaking and the animals fascinating. All the activities Disney had us do were great, and the pacing was very good. The rose plantation and condor park were great stops, we learned a lot at both and really enjoyed them, as well as got some excellent photos. The chance to see the animals and birds of the Galapagos was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we were blown away by it. And ohmygosh those baby sea lions are cute!
I feel like so much has already been written about each activity that theres no need to go into a lot of detail, but if you have any questions, of course Im happy to elaborate.
The accommodations were very nice, though not over the top. We actually really liked the Hacienda, with the fire lit every night at the foot of our bed. The fire had an excellent draft, so while we got to enjoy it, we did not smell like smoke the next day. With an only child, we are always put together in a room instead of having a parent room and a kid room. It was nice that our room at the Hacienda was large, with a separate alcove for DDs bed, and a second full bathroom. (increasingly important as we travel with a teenage girl!) The Marriott was lovely as well.
We really lucked out with our fellow adventurers, too. It was a great group, with everyone getting along and laughing all the time. The kids ranged in age from 11 to 17. The oldest tended to stick with the adults (though not always their own families and they were a delightful addition to any table.) The rest tended to run as a pack and really enjoyed each other. Tables were set up in 4s and 6s, and everyone sort of drifted in and out of configurations to eat with each other in various groupings. It was not unusual to cram more chairs at a table when discussions got lively.
Next post...TIPS
Because it really does sound amazing.
Thank you for the shout out, but of course we'd still all love to hear your take and see your photos!!
