Anyone ever go to the Galapagos Islands?
- Thread starter Kelblum
- Start date
We went the Christmas/New Years 07/08. It was AMAZING. We had a wonderful time. We didn't cruise, but stayed on one island (San Cristobal)
The camera is a must bring, and if you can get an underwater housing, that is even cooler. Here's our pictures: http://www.adamlyon.com/gallery/v/Vacations/2007-12_ecuador/
Although we didn't have anyone under the age of 18 with us, we all felt watching some tv shows about the Galapagos helped us understand what we were going into. I know there's a great National Geographic Channel one. If you can get that on DVD, I bet your kids would really like it.
Gosh, I don't know if I can give any other specific tips, since the cruise is not what we did. But if you're spending anytime in Quito, I can give you some ideas there.
The camera is a must bring, and if you can get an underwater housing, that is even cooler. Here's our pictures: http://www.adamlyon.com/gallery/v/Vacations/2007-12_ecuador/
Although we didn't have anyone under the age of 18 with us, we all felt watching some tv shows about the Galapagos helped us understand what we were going into. I know there's a great National Geographic Channel one. If you can get that on DVD, I bet your kids would really like it.
Gosh, I don't know if I can give any other specific tips, since the cruise is not what we did. But if you're spending anytime in Quito, I can give you some ideas there.
Avalon_toon
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 13, 2008
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- 688
My BIL and SIL went, and they could not say enough good things about it - they absolutely loved it. They took a ton of photos, pretty amazing shots. I hope you have a great trip!
beachbunny
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I'm going with Adventures by Disney and will be there around the same time as you.
I have two cameras, a Canon DSLR and a Canon Elph with an underwater case. I've also got a pair of Nikon Monarch binoculars. Also, since I didn't want to share snorkels, we're bringing our own masks and snorkels.
Have you been to a travel medicine doctor yet? There are no requirements (such as malaria pills or immunizations) for where we're going in Ecuador (Quito, Otavalo, and Galapagos), but I think he updated my yellow fever vaccination only because if there is an outbreak you won't be able to re-enter the US without the vaccination or proof of vaccination. I already have all the hep shots from when I went to Africa.
I'm also seeing about getting my cell phone open to international calls. If I need to make or receive a call it's something like $4.00/minute but if it's an emergency, it'll be worth it.
I did look at Tauck and Abercrombie and Kent before booking but settled on ABD because I've always wanted to take an ABD tour.
Have fun!
I have two cameras, a Canon DSLR and a Canon Elph with an underwater case. I've also got a pair of Nikon Monarch binoculars. Also, since I didn't want to share snorkels, we're bringing our own masks and snorkels.
Have you been to a travel medicine doctor yet? There are no requirements (such as malaria pills or immunizations) for where we're going in Ecuador (Quito, Otavalo, and Galapagos), but I think he updated my yellow fever vaccination only because if there is an outbreak you won't be able to re-enter the US without the vaccination or proof of vaccination. I already have all the hep shots from when I went to Africa.
I'm also seeing about getting my cell phone open to international calls. If I need to make or receive a call it's something like $4.00/minute but if it's an emergency, it'll be worth it.
I did look at Tauck and Abercrombie and Kent before booking but settled on ABD because I've always wanted to take an ABD tour.
Have fun!
Kelblum
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 22, 2009
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- 874
Beachbunny- very funny that we are going the same time!!
No we did not talk to or go to the Dr. that is very good advice!!
We are setting up our phone for international calling also. I agree, if it is an emergency it is well worth the price!
After seeing some of the pictures I am going to either buy an underwater disposable camera or waterproof housing for my camera. We do have an elf that we don't use that much anymore. Where did you get your housing? Maybe we will do that!
Thanks!
No we did not talk to or go to the Dr. that is very good advice!!
We are setting up our phone for international calling also. I agree, if it is an emergency it is well worth the price!
After seeing some of the pictures I am going to either buy an underwater disposable camera or waterproof housing for my camera. We do have an elf that we don't use that much anymore. Where did you get your housing? Maybe we will do that!
Thanks!
beachbunny
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Kelblum
DIS Veteran
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Thanks Beachbunny!
I was going to get the case for our Elph, but I didn't see the right model (ours was an older one). I did find one for our Sony Cybershot though. So thank so much for the idea!
Have a great trip!! Maybe we will bump into each other!!
I was going to get the case for our Elph, but I didn't see the right model (ours was an older one). I did find one for our Sony Cybershot though. So thank so much for the idea!
Have a great trip!! Maybe we will bump into each other!!
My dd is there RIGHT NOW....i'm so jealous!!! Seriously do find a travel clinic or doctor asap..they are having a yellow fever outbreak down there in Quito and Santa Cruz. The travel clinic here recommend, a Yellow fever shot, malaria pills and typhoid pills. The malaria and typhoid pills have to be taken a certain numbers of days before you leave and she got lucky to get in to the clinic. She gets home on Thursday and I can't wait to see her pictures...
scrapquilter
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- Dec 3, 2008
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- 164
I've been twice.
Here are some things I can tell you:
Keep in mind that there is a $100 park entrance fee per person that you have to pay in cash when you arrive in the Galapagos.
Buy the very best sunscreen you can find, at the highest possible SPF. You are right on the equator and on the water the sun is extremely strong. Reapply every hour or two and definitely after you've been wet. The first time, I ended up with sun poisoning despite diligent sunscreen use. Definitely wear a hat, with some sort of a tie thing to go under your chin.
Wear shoes that you won't mind walking around in when they are wet. You will be disembarking from your ship onto the panga and then onto the beach every time you go ashore. Sometimes you might end up 'landing' on shore in knee deep water. You WILL get wet. And flip flops aren't going to be good because you are going to hop off the panga and hike on rocky lava trails.
Don't EVER veer off the trail unless the guide tells you to (like if there is an iguana sleeping in the middle of the trail, the guide will detour around him).
You will need to check yourself very carefully after leaving each island to make sure that you are tracking any dirt, seeds, foliage or anything from one island to another. Don't be offended by this.
If possible, bring some snorkeling equipment with you. The ship will have some on board, but there might not be enough for everyone and it might not fit you. You WILL want to snorkel even if you think you don't...they will take you to part of Floreana where you can snorkel and there will be baby seals in the area and they WILL swim right up to you and you will want to see this from underwater. The baby seals might even swim so close to you that they will touch your foot or something.
The underwater camera idea is a very good one. Do try to bring one if possible. Bring lots of memory cards for your digital camera, you will take LOTS Of pictures. Plan for adequate batteries too. I'd plan for a couple thousand. I took over 800 pictures the last time I went, and that was before I had a digital camera (it was 2000).
Definitely read/watch videos as much as possible when you go so that you will know what animals/birds/sealife you'll see before you go.
When you go shopping, be sure to have LOTS of small bills. Ones and fives. Most merchants and street vendors will NOT have much change available and they are very suspicious of larger bills (even 10s and 20s, forget about 50s and 100s!). They will also be suspicious of bills that are beat up looking or torn and dirty. Try to get the newest looking bills possible before you trip, in small denominations.
When you fly from Quito or Guayaquil, don't be surprised to see people pushing and shoving to get onto the plane. The Ecuadorean airlines (unless they have changed recently) do not assign seats, and people get aggressive about being the first on the plane.
The last I knew, there are no requirements of vaccines for travel to Ecuador. There is no malaria in the Galapagos or in Quito, at least that is what I was told when I asked about it in Ecuador.
Are you going to be spending some time in Quito either before or after the Galapagos trip? If you are let me know and I'll post a bunch of stuff about that after the weekend (I lived in Quito for a year).
Here are some things I can tell you:
Keep in mind that there is a $100 park entrance fee per person that you have to pay in cash when you arrive in the Galapagos.
Buy the very best sunscreen you can find, at the highest possible SPF. You are right on the equator and on the water the sun is extremely strong. Reapply every hour or two and definitely after you've been wet. The first time, I ended up with sun poisoning despite diligent sunscreen use. Definitely wear a hat, with some sort of a tie thing to go under your chin.
Wear shoes that you won't mind walking around in when they are wet. You will be disembarking from your ship onto the panga and then onto the beach every time you go ashore. Sometimes you might end up 'landing' on shore in knee deep water. You WILL get wet. And flip flops aren't going to be good because you are going to hop off the panga and hike on rocky lava trails.
Don't EVER veer off the trail unless the guide tells you to (like if there is an iguana sleeping in the middle of the trail, the guide will detour around him).
You will need to check yourself very carefully after leaving each island to make sure that you are tracking any dirt, seeds, foliage or anything from one island to another. Don't be offended by this.
If possible, bring some snorkeling equipment with you. The ship will have some on board, but there might not be enough for everyone and it might not fit you. You WILL want to snorkel even if you think you don't...they will take you to part of Floreana where you can snorkel and there will be baby seals in the area and they WILL swim right up to you and you will want to see this from underwater. The baby seals might even swim so close to you that they will touch your foot or something.
The underwater camera idea is a very good one. Do try to bring one if possible. Bring lots of memory cards for your digital camera, you will take LOTS Of pictures. Plan for adequate batteries too. I'd plan for a couple thousand. I took over 800 pictures the last time I went, and that was before I had a digital camera (it was 2000).
Definitely read/watch videos as much as possible when you go so that you will know what animals/birds/sealife you'll see before you go.
When you go shopping, be sure to have LOTS of small bills. Ones and fives. Most merchants and street vendors will NOT have much change available and they are very suspicious of larger bills (even 10s and 20s, forget about 50s and 100s!). They will also be suspicious of bills that are beat up looking or torn and dirty. Try to get the newest looking bills possible before you trip, in small denominations.
When you fly from Quito or Guayaquil, don't be surprised to see people pushing and shoving to get onto the plane. The Ecuadorean airlines (unless they have changed recently) do not assign seats, and people get aggressive about being the first on the plane.
The last I knew, there are no requirements of vaccines for travel to Ecuador. There is no malaria in the Galapagos or in Quito, at least that is what I was told when I asked about it in Ecuador.
Are you going to be spending some time in Quito either before or after the Galapagos trip? If you are let me know and I'll post a bunch of stuff about that after the weekend (I lived in Quito for a year).
beachbunny
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2000
- Messages
- 1,274
Quito: Just how safe is it to wander around the city? Is it fanny pack safe or is a money belt required?
Did you use the safes in Quito and on the ship and how big were they? Just wondering about the logistics of swimming an keeping the cash dry.
Did you use the safes in Quito and on the ship and how big were they? Just wondering about the logistics of swimming an keeping the cash dry.
I felt very safe in Quito, although our guide (who was a retired policeman) made us super paranoid. We stayed right near Independence Square. We wanted to go to this fantastic ice cream shop like 4 blocks away and he insisted on escorting us. Total overkill (Although, maybe he was worried we'd get lost?). Even walking home late on New Years Eve (Which is a HUGE holiday with lots of bonfires), I felt pretty comfortable.
That being said, a moneybelt is always a good idea in any big city. And be aware of surroundings, use common sense when carrying a purse etc. A fanny pack is probably ok, as long as you carry it in the front. We all had backpacks and stuff, and there wasn't a problem. We had 10x more problems with gypsies and pickpockets in Rome and Florence than in Quito.
DD20 just spent the semester in Quito. Her advice would be to use common sense and to carry anything in the front. She used a backpack for school and wore it in the front always - especially on the bus. She had several instances of zippers being unzipped without her even being aware of it - she didn't lose anything but she was careful not to have anything of value except in an inside zippered compartment next to her chest.
If she took her laptop to school she always got a taxi.
If she took her laptop to school she always got a taxi.
scrapquilter
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2008
- Messages
- 164
Sorry, Kelblum, I only spent a couple of days in Guayaquil, and I was with an Ecuadorean friend at the time and stayed in their home, so I can't help much at all with Guayaquil information. I can tell you that Guayaquil is HOT and humid.
For any of the cities in Ecuador: Use basic precautions that you would use in any big city in the world -- hold your purse close in front of you, don't flash any jewelery or money around, be aware of your surroundings. Try to walk with someone else rather than alone at night. Probably putting most of your cash/credit cards in a moneybelt, travel case inside your shirt that you wear around the neck, etc. Usually if I had to carry money or a credit card with me, I carried a small amount of cash in my pants pocket or purse (the amount I planned to spend in the next store, for example) and the rest in my little neck case with my credit car. If I needed to get more cash out of my neck-case, I'd go into a bathroom and get it out discreetly so that it wasn't obvious I had it. I do the same thing now even when I am at Disneyworld or if I am in New York City...
For any of the cities in Ecuador: Use basic precautions that you would use in any big city in the world -- hold your purse close in front of you, don't flash any jewelery or money around, be aware of your surroundings. Try to walk with someone else rather than alone at night. Probably putting most of your cash/credit cards in a moneybelt, travel case inside your shirt that you wear around the neck, etc. Usually if I had to carry money or a credit card with me, I carried a small amount of cash in my pants pocket or purse (the amount I planned to spend in the next store, for example) and the rest in my little neck case with my credit car. If I needed to get more cash out of my neck-case, I'd go into a bathroom and get it out discreetly so that it wasn't obvious I had it. I do the same thing now even when I am at Disneyworld or if I am in New York City...
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