Nothing will ever top this...

Day 1

We checked in at Orlando International Airport and flew to Miami where I met up with my colleague Paul Goyette, we then flew to Quito international airport when we cleared security and met one of the HX team members called Rocky. He took us to the car and they transferred us to the JW Marriot hotel. The transfer took about 1 hour, upon arrival we were checked in and told that we had our tour of the city and journey to the center of the world the next morning.

We woke up about 5:30 and went for breakfast. We had breakfast and there was a wide selection of hot and cold food. We then met our tour guide for the day and were taken to our motor coach. We were a group of 17 which was a nice size for exploring and bonding.

Our first stop was the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, a stunning church with an active choir and upon climbing the 96 steps of the bell tower you were treated to fabulous views of Quito. Our second stop was a chocolate factory where we saw chocolate being made and were able to sample various varieties and purchase some for the rest of the trip.

We then left Quito and went to an elevation of over 10,000 up Puluahua mountain in the Andes mountain range to the Restaurante El Crater. We had an amazing lunch and had the most amazing views of the villages below. There were also friendly Alpaca and Llamas you could pet - that I absolutely loved.

After lunch we went down the mountain to the middle of the world where we were able to stand on both the southern and northern hemispheres at the same time. There was also an option to go 10 stories up and see Quito from higher levels. 

We went to the hotel for dinner then had an early night as we needed to be up at 4:30 for the flights to Galapagos.

Day 2

This morning was an early start.

We had just enough time to grab breakfast before we boarded the bus to the airport. Upon arrival at the airport we had to go through Galapagos security where they tag your bag so they know you have been cleared. We went through to departures and it was all very seamless. An on time flight from Quito to Baltra Island via Guayaquil. The landing was so picturesque and as soon as we deboarded the weather contrast was amazing and we saw our first Iguana right next to the runway.

We cleared security and the HX guides were there to meet us. Our bags were taken and we boarded a bus for a short 15 minute journey to the zodiac dock, after getting out lifejackets we climbed aboard the zodiac and took them to the waiting Santa Cruz II. We got onboard and went for the welcome briefing. We found out that we were to have lunch and a few hours later was going on our first expedition on the Northwestern coast of Santa Cruz to Dragon Hill, a 3 kilometer hike. We set off at 4pm and as soon as we were onboard the zodiac we saw sealions and at the dock there were hundreds of Galapagos Red crabs and Sally Lightfoot crabs as well as marine Iguanas blowing salt out of their nostrils. Within 10 minutes of leaving the beach area we were treated to a flock of Galapagos Flamingos foraging for food in the lagoon area, we continued our hike over volcanic lava flows and also saw some land Iguanas that were about 3 feet long. After about 90 minutes we were boarding the zodiac, after a quick change we went to the evening briefing to find out the next day's plans then had dinner.

Day 3 

I was awake shortly before sunrise and I went to the top deck as we sailed by Isla Isabela seeing the rock formations as we hugged the coastline and seeing the birds and marine life was spectacular. We saw sealions, boobies and even a huge Sunfish break the surface. After breakfast we got out our wetsuits and snorkel gear and headed out on the Zodiacs, close to the rocks we saw Seals, Sealions, Marine Iguanas and birds like the Flightless cormorant, Blue footed booby’s and the Nazca booby’s. Also hugging the rocks we crabs and oddly shaped starfish.

After about 20 minutes it was time to enter the water. This was the point I was looking forward to. The water was chilly but not unbearable. As soon as I looked under water I was very excited to see my first Pacific Sea Turtle. Little did I know that there were hundreds of them, some as big as 4 to 5 feet. The marine life was breathtaking we saw King Angelfish, pufferfish, Galapagos Yellowtailed Damselfish, Hogfish, Parrotfish, various Rays but then the one thing I was desperate to see my first Shark in the wild it was a Bullhead shark which was about 3 feet long so majestic.

About 20 minutes into the snorkeling our guide said that she had found Galapagos Penguins and we headed over to see them. They were so small and cute. In total we were out for about 90 minutes and then we headed back to the ship to have lunch whilst we sailed to the second stop of the day, Fernandina.

This was another hike but completely different to yesterday's. There were Sealions playing in a makeshift nursery in a big rockpool as we walked over the lava flows and the marine Iguanas were everywhere. The hike again lasted about 2 hours and Alex, our guide, told us all about the history of the island and some of the unique species found there. One of the things that really struck me is that the wildlife has no fear from humans and as we walked by they hardly battered an eyelid. Towards the end of the hike we found the remnants of a fossilized whale skeleton that has been there for over 30 years. Once back onboard I went to the photography lecture, had dinner then had an early night ready for the next day.

Day 4 

This was to be a full day heading around Santa Cruz starting off with a zodiac to the mainland then boarding the airconditioned bus for the short ride to Charles Darwin Research station to see various varieties of Tortoise that are helping raise the population around the Galapagos islands. It was a short 15 minute walk to the research station and along the way we saw many varieties of the Finches that the Galapagos is known for. Some the male tortoises are known to have fathered thousands of offspring and the numbers are steadily climbing and some have been reintroduced to islands where they had disappeared from. We then boarded the bus and headed up the hills to a coffee, chocolate and aguardiente making family run farm to see it being made and sample some of the offerings.

Another short ride took us to the highlight of the day seeing all the wild giant Galapagos tortoise as we headed to El Manzanillo for a Ecuadorean lunch before heading out through the fields, woods and marshes to see the turtles roaming freely, some as big as 6 feet. After a 60 minute hike we returned to the restaurant to board the bus back down to Puerto Ayora to have some free time for shopping and sightseeing. While walking along the promenade we saw at least 50 sharks all swimming around the bay.

Wildlife in the Galapagos really is everywhere. 

Day 5 

I decided on a lazier morning today, I got up a little later and had breakfast, I then took a zodiac to the beach to do a bit of snorkeling but mainly to relax and soak in the sun. I wanted a chilled morning as I knew the afternoon was going to be another highlight. One thing that has become apparent on this trip is just when you say “Wow nothing will top that” something does. I spent about 90 minutes on the beach snorkeling before I went back to the ship and soaked in one of the hot tubs onboard. After lunch I had a little relax as we got closer to the Devils Crown, a volcano that collapsed in on itself thousands of years ago.

We got into our wetsuits and boarded the zodiacs to head to the north end of Devils crown the plan was to get in the water and swim with the current to the south side then get back on and head to the north again before heading to the shoreline for a third snorkel site. One thing I have learned on this trip is things change very quickly and this was no exception. We got in the water the first time and I was ecstatic to see Galapagos sharks and Whitetip sharks, the largest being about 8 feet. As we started to get back on the Zodiac one of the guests shouted she thought she had seen dolphins breaching the water and the guide said it is more than likely a sea lion or a ray as we were looking that way it became clear that it was indeed a pod of about 25-30 bottlenose dolphins!

Once in the water the dolphins were all swimming by us, playing and jumping out the water. We stayed with them for about 10 minutes, I will remember this forever. We then went to the shoreline and did our third dive and I realized I was smiling so much that I kept breaking the seal on my mask. This time we saw lots of fish and some huge stingrays.

We got back onboard and got changed then went to one of the briefing rooms and met the Captain and the hotel manager. We raised a toast and gave feedback on how amazing the trip had been, then headed to the bar to watch the photo slide that had been done for our journey. It was awesome revisiting the whole trip and being able to see the memories that will last a lifetime. After dinner we went back to the bar to have a few drinks and say our goodbyes to the rest of the group.

Overall I had the most unforgettable trip and couldn't recommend a Galapagos Expedition Cruise any more!