OK Here's the scoop:
As I noted, we just got back. It's the end of summer there.
We booked thru PTS Tours at www.GALAPAGOS-INC.COM and worked with Jon. Did it thru the web.
The weather deteriorates from now to
December. Think of the northern hemisphere and add 6 months then compare.
We sailed on the M/V Galapagos ExplorerII, formerly the Renaissance III launced in 1991. It's a relatively new ship and the cabins are the biggest in the region. We encountered the Lindblad Polaris group the day we left Guayaquil and the day we returned. I asked them and a few tour agents in the hotel (Hilton Guayaquil, Equador) how the food was, trip,etc. The tourists loved it and had a glowing report on the ship and food. The agents who had been on both ships liked the Explorer better as the cabins are much larger and the ship is newer. The Polaris has better food, but not something to judge the trip as neither has GOURMET!
SHOES: What do you imagine the trails are like? Easy? Sandy? Groomed? A gradual climb? Well, we were in for an amazing surprise. We have been to Africa, New Zealand, Australia and used to HIKES. That is HIKES requiring pre dawn wake up calls (animals etc. are more acive at dawn and heat is less), rough trails, need for proper shoes, bitey insects, HOT-COLD (ice) etc etc.
The Galapagos are desert islands built from volacanoes younger than Hawaii and no less fluffy than sharp, slippery, intense, graduated, lava flows. Wet landings are on a beach and minimal,as you might land on a very slippery lava flow or a "cement landing" created for tourists at the edge of generally unapprochable lava flows. Our wet landings (very few) were on beaches and usually for a swim. No shoes were required and some beaches had scratchy coral that required sandals or coral swim shoes to get to shore. Now picture this: Sharp lava trails, slippery rocks, sun burn, vines like kiawe with 1 inch thorns in Hawaii, sand (teva wearers were constantly trying to shake out sand and gravel), sea lion, bird and lizard poop of the nuclear portions, wasps, and let's not forget the blisters one gets in wearing ANY type of shoe that is not well broken in and you have adapted to and created callouses. Our guide, a native Equidorian woman, who has guided the islands for many years and has dark skin, wore "Teva" type sandals daily and no hat. She knew what to expect and had the skin for it. Hatless and exposed skin in NOT a recommendation (slather on 45 protection sun block) and heat stroke is a danger. These are NOT foofy little trails. The Prince William steps have 36" rises with barely 12" depth and a meager hand rails. Once you are at the top of the rock, the walk is easier, but then there are holes and loose stones and you REALLY have to watch your step. I was AMAZED at the group from the Polaris and many from our ship who were very old seniors. A man and woman from the Polaris were being wheeled on the plane in WHEEL CHAIRS!!!
I guarantee they did not see a major part of the islands! This is not Hawaii or the Caribbean with groomed trails and sidewalks. This is boot camp (early wake up calls) and requires at least a good sense of balance, heat tolerence, rough sea tolerence in the winter, and no kids under 10.On shore there are NO toilets, and you must return to the ship for the urge. Nop smoking, No beaches with umbrellas and waiters with drinks. No food is allowed on shore or are alcoholic drinks. Water only. That includes beach swims. This is an internationally recognized nature reserve and that is the first priority for the safety of humans and the preservation for the environment.
This trip was a FANTASTIC experience for us. I am a"Baby Boomer" and my husband is over 70. We did great, but your health and age is a real consideration when booking this trip. It is NOT for young kids as safety is an issue.

Deloris:
Sorry you had a difficult time in the Galapagos...

I was there at the end of August and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I did not encounter even one of the problems that you had.

I did my research and read many articles on the Galapagos ,studied many maps,knew exactly where I was going before I even got there.

It was 86 F on the day our plane landed on the Island of Baltra.
I wore a Tilly Hat off and on but I did NOT use any sun screen protection at all...I am white and do not have the dark skin of the Central American people. yet I had no problems with sun burn

My wife ,a few days,put some sunscreen on her nose &a bit on her face but that is all.

I stated in all my reports that there is "No Peeing " on the Islands.. so I stated in my trip report...drink all you want while on board andleave yourself ample time to go to the bathroom.

Some of the elder women who had a bit of an over active bladder..just adjusted their fluid intake pattern, NOT one person in our group during all our tours ever needed to go to the bathroom.

Wake up call was 630Am or 645AM..this to me is not early.. I wake up that early everyday for work...besides you are so excited about each new day's trip that you are anxious to get up anyway.
Almost everyday I was up at 5Am just laying in bed killing time to get up.

About Sandals:
There were 36 of us on the yacht and there were 36 different kinds of footwear.
I would go again tomorrow with my $14.95 River Rapid sandals from Wal*Mart,I could not wear the Tevas , they pinched my foot.

I NEVER saw a bug on any island,no one in our group was biten by insects..because I brought insect repellent and NEVER used it.!!!

Absolutely..there is NO food or drink on shore..you know those wooden steps that you climbed to get to the top of Bartolome Ilsand to look down on that famous Pinnacle Rock.....

well they affectionately refer to this 365 step climb as the "Galapagos Stairmaster"...

One lady aged 66 from California had hip replacement surgery 5 months before and she made it to the top at almost the same pace as the restof us....

Anyway when those 365 steps were first constructed ..there was a HUGE outcry...the Ecudorians want the Islands left as much as possible in their natural setting.

Even I did not like those 365 steps..Why ??. because it made me feel other were here with hammers and saw..and that should not be here..this is after all the Galapagos, do not touch them or alter the Islands from the way Charles Darwin saw them !!!!

That was my first opinion.


That being said Deloris, why would you expect food and drinks on the shore and even waiter to bring you the food and drinks.!!!.

I would have been appalld if I saw this.

Other than the Islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz ,there is NO building on the Islands.

I can stillsee this young lady with her flip flop beach sandals walking over the lava rocks like a little mountain goat.!!!she had no problems with ordinary beach sandals.

If I was going back tomorrow I would wear exactly what I wore 8 months ago.

There was not ONE thing that disappointed me about the Galapagos..I was well prepared for what all the Islands had to offer.

The ages of the people in our group of 36 were between 14 and 76 and we all had a ball.

If anyone would have complained about the terrian I would certainly have mentioned it in my trip reports.

I am glad that you went and that you had a good time ,it was , I am sure an experience of a lifetime.

Oh yes on one Island there were hundred and hundred of Iguanas, we had to watch where we stepped for fear of stepping on them ,but never do I recall trying to dodge poop !!!

Hey , Peg, you were there a month later, if you are reading this please commnet with your version and opinion.

Thanks and welcome back home Deloris.

Percy

Ah Percy! You misunderstood!
We had a FANTASTIC time! It just seems that many people who go there don't realize the challenge of the trails. If they did, our guide wouldn't have had to almost carry a couple very elderly people over the rocks! I was attempting to let everyone know this is an ACTIVE trip, not a sit on the beach and eat and drink trip! We didn't expect that, but some do! Our guide told us that the youngest child brought for a tour was 4 months old and the mother scaled the steep and dangerous Prince Philip steps with babe in arms. We even asked her if any kids were killed due to the risks and she said it has happened. That's why it's important to let folks know this trip is NOT for small children.
We scaled the 365 steps on Bartholomew and it was explained that they were built because all the tourists climbing the hill before they were built were causing huge erosion. Win some lose some! Our group had people 5 years old to 83. The 83 year old lady was the speediest and most spirited!
This is the end of the summer.
It was near 100 degrees at some times and lack of a hat and major sun block would be a mistake.Our guide said it was even HOTTER the last 2 months! Evidently the clouds and fog set in after May. It becomes MUCH cooler and wet suits are encouraged for snorkling. Everyone says there is no bad time to go there and it is mainly a climate choice or vacation break that make the difference.
Anyone who has trouble with footing should bring one of those collapsable walking sticks for stability.
The Galapagos are a wonderful experience and I hope my observations help anyone considering the experience in preparing properly.
By the way, the Hilton Hotel in Guayquil has a FANTASTIC Italian restaurant!!!!
Vaya con Dios!!!

Deloris

Okay I perhaps misunderstood.

The Galapagos is not for kids ,leave alone a mother carrying a baby in arms.

I also agree the "elderly",(whatever elderly is !) seemed to be the ones who were really more mobile , maybe they just wanted to show their younger cohorts they are not over the hill yet, just because they have grey hair.

I would compare the terrian to walking in the desert outside of Tucson Arizona or Las Vegas.

Some people cannot take the heat... you know everyone thinks that Quito Ecuador is hot becaue it is on the Equator...but its elevation is so high that you almost freeze at night, BUT the Galapagos were very warm , like I said , 86 F on the day our plane landed.

Also , just because this yound lady walked over lava rocks in her flip flop beach sandals..is not to imply that , that is the footwear of choice.
However, I think any good sandal with valcro straps and support would be just fine.

We had a 13 year girl from England with her mother on our yacht but she looked more like 18 years old.

I hope that all those planning togo to the Galapagos this year, understand that this is a hiking trip and walking over sandy , rocky terrian. one Island is almost all lava rock.

There are so many good websites for the galapagos, like Fodors right here, just click on Ecuador and read all you can from other about the Galapagos.

Other have posted pictures on the web and I must have viewed 200 pictures to get a very good idea of what people were wearing.

But I agree, if people are thinking of bringing their young children, BIG mistake, they have lots of time to see the Galapagos when they can do the walk and not just the talk !!!

Yes, Prince William steps were rather on a sharp climb but thank goodness it was a short climb.

And those 365 steps to climb to the top of Bartolome Island were more threatening than the actual climb.. as I type this I am looking at a picture I took from the top of the 365 step climb....priceless !!!!!!!

You know I would just assume that people going there would wear a hat and bring sun screen....I mean all the articles I read and the pictures I saw, almost everyone was wearing a hat , or carrying one.

But when you see your first Blue Footed Boobie ever, you just look with amazement and say to yourself , "I am at the Galapagos at last."

By August it starts to get cooler as the months go by,the Humbolt current comes in from the very tip of South American and cools the water,but even then it is between 75 to 85 F.

Oh yes, Aren't those Ecuadorians at the airport something.

On our flight back from Baltra to Quito when they called over the speaker that our plane was now boarding, well it is not like in the USA or Canada, where you are boarding according to row number...oh no !!!,all of a sudden there is this huge stampede of Spanish people all coming from every angle trying to get through security at the same time...the fact that you have been in line standing for 40 minutes mean nothing to them.Hmmmmmm!!!!

By the way did you bring back a stuffed Blue Footed Boobie toy.?

Percy

No Percy, I did not bring back a Blue Footed Boobie toy, but I was sorely tempted!I bought a Kiwi stuffed toy, life size,in New Zealand (after petting and holding a real one in a very secret bird sactuary) and was amused as a local asked me how I could "legally aquire one!"!!! I asked him to touch it!
When he realized it was a toy, he was shocked! Even my cats freaked when I brought it home!I got it at a gift shop!!
Now back to Equador. One thing I did not bring up...Quito. The ship doctor confirmed his worse cases of heart problems come from folks who go to Quito or Cuzco and Machu Picchu before the trip, both at about 10,000-12,000
foot altitudes. Strokes, cerebral hemmorages, and heart attacks can result from the sudden exposure to these altitudes if anyone has heart or circulation problems, according to the doctor and our personal physician as well.When approaching the Galapagos at
this high introductory altitude, consult your doctor before making reservations even if you think you are ok. You might need to take medication to make this kind of trip safe. I went to Peru when I was 18 and got a nuclear migrane at Macchu Piccu. Just imagine flying in an unpressured plane at that altitude! We chose Guayaquil as our entre to Equador as my husband had heart surgery 2 years ago and I remember that dangerous migrane in Peru.We live at sea level and Guayaquil is a sea port and a good connection to the Galapagos at a safe altitude. Quito flights connect there.General health must be taken very seriously regarding any age as you are thousands of miles away from state of the art medical resources.
I stand by the closed shoe position as a sprained ankle, cut or blister can really make your trip at least uncomfortable. If one is allergic to bee stings, carry proper medication. Period. This goes for ANYWHERE in the world! We had a great time because we did our homework! I would adore a garden of blue and red footed boobies and even those funny sea and land iguanas, but they don't need any better environment than their own, and if the zoo IN YOUR COMMUNITY has a Galapagos tortoise, they need FOR YOU to give them hell for removing them from a very precious and endangered internationally recognized environmentally exact National Park.The San Diego Zoo is apparently guilty. Travel anywhere requires research, especially in these times, and places such as the Galapagos are world treasures and require the most delicate care and so do YOU! Know before you go and then have a great time!!!!

PS..Regarding inter-Equador flites, check out my reply on Thread #3.
Now I'll shut up unless asked!!
Buenos Noches!

Deloris:

You are correct about a person's health.

Anybody with a cardiac condition should for sure check with their doctor.
Not just for the Galapagos , but also when they travel to other , "not so common places."
Those people with Asthma, Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis and other respiratory problems should absolutley check with their doctor.

Also if you have had a change inyour medication over the last six months then your flight health care insurance will not cover you for that problem...another thing for people to check into.

I would also like to think that anyone with acute/severe bee sting allergies or other acute onset allergies would bring and Epi- Pen with them.
I am just assuming people would do this.!!!

I brought medication for many different purposes when I went to Quito nd the Galapagos...thank goodness I did not have to use any of them.

We flew from Quito to Guayaguil, then onto the Galapagos, but on the way back it was direct to Quito.

You know there are any people who have never heard of the Galapagos!
When I told some of my friend , that I went to the Galapagos..their reply was"
"Gala Who ???. where is that..

Nice to read your comments, this is how we all learn on this board, by sharing our opinion with other.

Have a Nice Day

Percy

Wow! After reading the long threads I have only one thing to add because they were very well said. Becuase I also misunderstood what Deloris originally said and would have wrote the same thing Percy did, except he beat me to it.

Okay, now for my comment, there is another island with people on it who have built buildings (probably a couple of others also). It is Floreana. There are about 200 people on this island, and the story dates back to the 1930's when an accentric German doctor/dentist and his mistress came there to "live off the land." After that came another German family (I believe they were German) and settled on the island, and then the Baroness who was going to build a hotel.

Percy, I will find the book, in one of my boxes in storage and send it to you. It will make for good reading on the flight over the Atlantic. It is called the Galapagos Affair, and I had to buy it used off of Amazon because it is out of print and hard to find. Anyway we all read it before we left. Our guide was impressed that anyone knew that story. There is a couple of mysteries in the book but I won't give it away since I am sending you the book!

Percy
How about "Are the Galapagos in Greece?"
Speaking of health, I'm on Cipro and Zithromax now (3 days after returning) due to an "intestinal" disorder. My doc said 5-10 days from infection, tourista strikes!He says taking Cipro WITH you on the trip is a wise idea. I did but got sick when I got home. My husband is fine, thank goodness, so whatever. Eat and drink with care as I did....but be prepared!!

Deloris:

Hmmm too bad about your intestinal infection .
Usually this happends in Mexico and some of the Caribbean places.

The food on our yacht was very good, but you know, you can always get something...there is never a fool proof method to remain illness free on a holiday.
Your doctor gave you Zithromax and Cipro because both of these drugs have a different mode of action.

Zithromax..acts by stopping the bacteria from making its own protein...so when it cannot make protein the bacteria dies.

Cipro.. acts by stopping the production of an enzyme that the bacteria needs to make its own DNA....with no DNA production , the bacteria dies..... this was the drug that was to be used against Anthrax..remember.

Now here is where the problem comes in:
Zithromax has 3 main side effects:
1. Diarrhea
2.Loose Stools( this is not the same as diarrhea.
3, Abdominal Pain.

Hmmm. so now is your problem on going from the medication ,or is it the infection you brought home with you.!!!???

Without going into the details of why..stay away from milk and diary products for the next 2-3 days..

Take a lot of fluids...soup, tea, coke or ginger ale or some other "pop"..but use this "flat."

Flat ...means to pour the "pop' into a pan or dish for about 1/2 hour and then drink it ...you do not want all that fizz which is carbon dioxide,and will only bloat you up...and you do not need that right now.

Take Care
Hopefully you are all better now.
Percy

Percy, Deloris and Peg,
Thank you for the wonderful information!
We are thinking of a trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2005 and you've given some great info that I had not thought of.
My husband is kind of leaning toward a trip to Africa (we've never been) but I keep coming back to Galapagos Islands!
Again - thanks for sharing your experiences!

Deloris:

My doctor told me to never leave home without Cipro, and I take my bomine, antivert and cipro everywhere I go!!!

LindyE:

We were also thinking of an African vacation this year, but plans changed. I am glad I went to the Galapagos Islands first. Unfortunately, I will not be able to explain myself if you ask me why.
I hope that whatever you decide you have a great trip.

Percy, we have to talk. With my computer experience and your medical advice we could be good together!!!

LindaE:

I sincerely hope you make it to the Galapagos and of course you will post a report for us previous Galapagos visitors.

evelyntrav:
See the long thread you started ..!!! Thank you.

Hi Deloris:
We have not forgotten you either.

Peg:

Yes with your vast computer knowledge and my limited medical input, if anyone hires us..we split 60/40.
What???...of course you get the 60 % was there ever any doubt !??!

Percy


See the long

Percy,
Indeed, I find it amazing to get such helpful advice. Actually, I don't want the post to end.

Thank you everyone.

Percy:

Limited medical my "you know what." You have a vast range of medical advice.

On behalf of my comptuer knowledge, make sure you have run your windows updates, the Sasser worm is causing quite a problem, since it doesn't run through the traditional e-mail but from web sites.

Now back to the reason we are all here. Evelyntrav asks us more questions and the thread will not end! (HA) Are you traveling on the mainland also, or just the Galapagos?

I am just going on a 7-day cruise as we are out of vacation time. Too bad but nothing we can do about that. I've run out of questions at the moment, but if I need further information I will be sure to let you all know.

Well,everyone, I'm doing well and off drugs today! Now I must beware of California water! I can't blame the ship, water or anything else but chance as the doc said results from tests would take a week and drugs were faster!
I could have eaten or drank something bad when I got home too. The last threads were Africa vs Galapagos. You are comparing apples and oranges and I've done and loved both.
Africa does require loads of shots, apropos our medical discussions. That does set one back a bit, but yellow fever and polio are worse! Africa is a MUST DO at least once in your life, but wait for the unfavorable political world climate to chill a bit. We went 1 year after the bombing of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the Luxor massacre. Security was very tight and in the favor of tourists. Those areas need tourists for their economy and suffer greatly when travel dies off.
Do the Galapagos now.It's very easy and fascinating. Pick a good ship and then enjoy.

Thanks for the advice Deloris.

I will wait before going to Africa, as exciting as it seems ,there is that political unrest.

Glad you are feeling better.

Take Care
Percy

About Africa...
The political unrest is in Nairobi and Zimbabwe. We went to Botswana and Namibia a couple of years ago and it was definitely the vacation of a lifetime. Check out the very active Africa Forum about these countries and get lots of information.

Deloris: I am glad to hear you are feeling better.

I am jealous of both of you, though. Someday I will get on a safari. Yes, the Africa board is interesting, I try to visit that a couple times a week.