Preparing to Visit the Galapagos

I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a long time.  I am so excited about seeing a part of the planet that led to one of the world’s most revolutionary scientific theories--- Darwin’s theory of evolution.    Finally I’m on my way.  I’ve been walking, climbing the little hills of sea-level Arlington, Massachusetts, planning what to pack....

Red-footed booby and baby

Preparation alone has been a little daunting.  Signing up for a tour was easy.  Ah--disclaimer:  I write my blog based on journals I keep when I travel.  I do some research to verify that my information is current, and add notes to update as needed.  I am writing from the comfort of my home (in winter, in New England...my heated home). 

Another disclaimer:  I like tours.  Maybe I'm just a little lazy?  But I like tours.  Generally, I do not enjoy the research that goes into planning a trip.  (Some people love that, and I recognize it's also very educational.).  A tour limits the traveler's activities--you abide by the tour’s schedule. If there's a place you want to linger or leave, tours don’t have much flexibility.   But going with experts who know the area and take care of all my needs is very appealing.  And if I really want to spend more time someplace, I'll add it to my list and try to return on my own.

I’m not sure you can go to the Galapagos on your own.  There are restrictions protecting the islands, limiting where you can go for your safety as well as that of island flora and fauna. So I am taking a tour with Natural Habitat, (https://www.nathab.com/ ) the same organization to took me to see the polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba. I loved that trip. 

A little story of me and tours that will be anathema to those who enjoy the details of planning their own trips,  Over the years, I’ve found tour companies I especially like and frequently go back to them.  The Polar Bear trip was so great that, when my California friend Linda and I begin planning to visit the Galapagos, we go directly to Natural Habitat’s site.  We look at the date options and which would allow a Machu Picchu  ‘add-on’, we choose a trip, I call the company, and the agent says: “That date is full.  The next available date does not have the camping excursion, but the one after that does.”

"Camping?"  I...um... uh,  er...   am  not the greatest camper. 

I’m so ready to go and so trusting of the company, I really didn't even read the full description.  I admit it.  In my excitement about choosing a Galapagos tour, I did not see the word ‘camping’.  Camping?   

I admit my mild aversion to camping  to the agent, who then describes the ‘camping’.  Nat Hab Galapagos camping does not sound like the ‘pup-tent, mosquito-infested, pee in the woods’ camping I’ve done.  It involves tree houses (not pup tents) or "tent cabins" with electricity and a sink. (again, not a pup tent).  It  sounds almost luxurious.  It involves  dinners in the dining tent, not campfire cooking on a stick. This sounds ok!

So I call Linda and say, ‘The first available trip doesn’t have the camping option.”  Then I pause.  There’s a moment of silence and my steadfast friend says,  “There’s camping?”  She didn’t read any more than I did.  You can see that we do travel well together... right down to how well we read the tour description. We choose the trip with the camping option.

Let the preparations begin.