As I mentioned in the last Seychelles post (here), I did try to book with them prior to leaving the States and received a very cursory email that essentially was like “email me your credit card number”. For a company that large, I was not impressed with that response–nor willing to send them a credit card number. There was a Mason’s rep at our hotel, and she quickly signed us up to do what we wanted. Of course she tried to see us additional tours in the process, but that is par for the course of a salesperson I suppose. It was about $120 per person, but will vary based on the current exchange rate.

In general, Mason’s was organized and on-time. The head ‘guide’ of the boat was kind and helpful. But don’t over-expect…you are getting a bulk tour and a real mixed bag of people. On pickup from our hotel, we had to backtrack to another resort because those people were not ready on time (which was very nice of Mason’s to do); people freaked on the boat when it was discovered that there were soft drinks–but no beer–available for purchase for a 5 hour excursion. I mean, lost it. There was one couple that seriously looked as if they were about to leave the entire tour, and ran off the boat to a local convenience store to buy the beer they so desperately needed. For the record, they were 60+ and not American…So, PSA: bring your own alcohol if you want some on the boat. Water is included.

The tour has 3 main parts, not including the ride out to the Marine National Park & Ile Moyenne (the snorkeling location and Ile Moyenne are virtually five minutes apart). First, you go on an underwater submersible to look at the coral (more on this in a second). Second, you have a long time to snorkel in the Marine National Park – likely a good two hours. Third, you get to hike around Ile Moyenne, swim around the island, and lounge on the beach. Lunch is thrown in here, I think we ate after the submersible on our way to the snorkeling site, which was a short cruise away.

Let’s start with the underwater submersible. Let’s start by saying: I will NEVER go on one of these again. First, and most importantly, if you plan to snorkel, you do not see anything on this thing that you don’t see when snorkeling. Second, it is super claustrophobic…and I am NOT claustrophobic. Like, ugh. I wanted off that thing the second I got on. Third, they do hit the coral occasionally. They only do it in one area, so they hit the same coral every day, and 90 percent is already pretty bleached in the area you go, but still…really unfortunate. They don’t try to hit it, mind you, but it is what happens when you take a boat with a large hull into areas with lots of coral. Lastly, a bunch of people got sick. I had my prescription medicine since I get sick on anything that moves, but even my husband was feeling it by the time we were done. Verdict: skip.

With that fun out of the way, lunch was far better than expected–great roasted chicken and good veggie options, too. And snorkeling was fantastic. While we didn’t see any large marine life, the quantity and different types of fish were worth the trip out to the Marine National Park, no doubt. They give you plenty of time to snorkel, so enjoy! You are in a pretty generous area, so you are not swimming on top of other people either, and there were not a bunch of other boats there. Some of the area is relatively deep, while parts of it are quite shallow. There are not guides in the water with you, but the boat is close by, and if you are uncomfortable in the water, it is easy to just swim right around the boat. They also put the small dingy (panga) into the water with you, and they do keep a good eye on where everyone is. Verdict: Worth the trip if you like to snorkel.

There are so many beautiful fish in the Indian Ocean, most of which we had never seen before, since our snorkeling as been in the Pacific and in the Caribbean. And these guys get big! We had so much fun taking photos, me flinching at the little sea-horse related things that looked too much like a sea snake, and then arguing over who took the better photos (obviously me).

Now Ile Moyenne is just special. There is a small entrance fee (I believe $12) if you aren’t part of the group–the cost of the tour with Mason’s includes this fee. It is a teensy tiny island that you can hike around–flip flops ok, better if they have some type of heel strap, just beware that there are slippery paths and lots of roots (I have these Havianas, which I adore and are perfect for the beach or for a dinner out when on a tropical vacation). There were a few places where I wished I had shoes (my husband has these from Adidas and LOVES them). It takes about 30 minutes to hike the whole way, and take the time to check out the little views here and there. There are also some secluded beaches that are just gorgeous.  Right out front where you get dropped off by the dingy (panga), there is a long sandbar you can swim out to and just take in the Seychelles for what they are – teensy islands in the middle of a very, very big ocean.

One of the biggest highlights of Ile Moyenne is the wild population of giant tortoises which still inhabit the island.  A lot of them gather around the ranger station, where they have some cut plants (from the island) that you can feed to them (they are usually over eating out of the pile anyhow). But when you are hiking through the tropical landscape, all of a sudden, you just come up on a giant tortoise in the forest. Such a neat experience! These guys aren’t shy, either, and will approach you — mainly out of curiosity. Verdict: must see!

Overall, I don’t regret going with Mason’s, though I hated the submersible and wished they’d stop running that portion of the tour anyway. I know that people who don’t snorkel or swim want to see the underwater environment, but coral damage doesn’t need any help from boats, and it was a wretched experience (there were multiple people vomiting when we came back up). However, St. Anne Marine National Park and Ile Moyenne were probably two highlights of our trip to the Seychelles. The amazing fish and the incredible tortoises, coupled with the perfect views and beautiful ocean really made these places special.

Tips: As I mentioned, water is included, but you can bring alcohol on board if needed. Lunch is good, but if you require a specific diet, please check in advance to make sure you can be accommodated. It is a full day by the time you get picked up and dropped off from your hotel in Mahe, so be prepared with lots of sunscreen and a change of clothes if you want. We had swimsuits and coverups, and that was plenty to get through the day. The bugs weren’t bad on the boat, but we did notice some on Ile Moyenne, so packing some spray/wipes isn’t a bad idea.

I guess I think all animals are cute. Except humans. You will not hear me call humans cute, except on rare, rare occasions. I do think DH is cute, obviously.

Well, yet again, this was an excellent snorkeling location. Minus the one very large male sea lion that was not super thrilled with DH’s closeness to his territory. We continued on our way.  We saw a lot of fish. And something I thought was a sea cucumber but now I will just call undefined. Anyway, we continue up the channel and low and behold…

I squeal with cuteness. And excitement. There are three little penguins, right beside where we are snorkeling. DH even took a photo of me with the penguins. Because, well, PENGUINS. I look bizarrely and ridiculously happy with said penguins.

So, they seemed pretty content on that rock of theirs. I mean, one appeared to be sunbathing. And I was getting cold, really cold. The panga was just a short swim away, so I decided I’d swim over and watch the penguins from the panga until everyone else was done snorkeling. A bunch of them were headed out towards open water, and open water is way colder than a narrow cove, so I opted to call it a day.

I was settling in nicely, enjoying basking in the sun–like a penguin–when suddenly the panga driver started pointing. Two of the penguins had decided to dive in the water! Of course I decided to get out, just then. DH was right by one of the penguins, with another one following him close behind, though he didn’t notice that one.

I will take no credit for this fantastic penguin photo–it’s all DH. But how amazing is this little penguin, just zipping along in the water!? So cool. And they were really buzzing around so I’m even more impressed that DH got a non-blurry shot. Man, I can’t believe I missed swimming with the penguins in the Galapagos. Next time, next time. And one more picture of one of the little penguins getting out of the water. Because no matter what they are doing, they are so flipping cute. And awkward on land.

As one of our last snorkels, this was definitely a highlight. There aren’t a lot of places you can see penguins in the world. Galapagos Penguins are the only species of penguin that can be found north of the equator. Adorable.

Enough cuteness. But really, aren’t they SO CUTE!?

First, we hiked to the top of the highest point on the island, where you can see for miles on a clear day. Like other Galapagos islands, Bartolome is volcanic, and you can see collapsed cones in the sea below, as well as lava tubes when you are walking up to the top.

The hike up is on a well-maintained trail with stairs–you could easily make it in flip flops if needed. It was blistering hot…and we went at 7 or so in the morning. We did see two other groups on Bartolome, one leaving when we came on the island and the other starting up as we were coming down. It’s a great view, but it was SO hot, that we seriously were scrambling to take pictures and get down as quickly as possible. Surprisingly, even though it’s an island, and we were elevated, there really wasn’t any breeze. Beware.

We also saw a guy sprinting to the top as we were leaving. I was just waiting to hear the news that someone died of a heart attack in the Galapagos when we were there, because he 1) was wheezing and heaving involved 2) it was over 100 degrees 3) he looked as red as tomato and 4) I’d be shocked if he could run a mile on a good day…let’s just say he didn’t look or sound like he was in shape. Why you would do that to yourself, on vacation? I just don’t know. Thankfully, I’m guessing he survived to see the next day.

We then headed to the boat for breakfast, and then promptly filed into the panga to head back to the beach for some amazing snorkeling. And some equally amazing views. Usually we snorkeled straight from the panga, so it was also fun to be able to snorkel right from the beach on Bartolome. Just wade your way in to the sharks, lobsters, pufferfish, parrotfish, rays, and more!

There were so many black tipped sharks just hanging out under a rock, plus more swimming by every now and then. It must be a good place to hang out (read: eat?). I think this was also the one place I snorkeled without a wetsuit…maybe(?)…I definitely remember getting cold, so guessing I didn’t put one on since we were so close to shore and the water was a lot warmer.

I’d like to pretend that one of us went down to take this great photo, but it was actually our amazing free-diving guide that went to hang out with them at the bottom. But give us some credit–here is our photo. Ok, ok. So it’s way worse. We tried. (Also, DH and I love to argue about who took which underwater photos…I will say I think this one was mine, but I’m sure he thinks it is his, so we’ll leave it officially “undetermined”).

Anyway, there was lots to see under the water at Bartolome, including a beautiful golden ray! I think these things are just so cute…look at his/her little face! And their color is pretty unusual, or at least something we had never seen before. Yes…I definitely am the one that took this photo. It’s a touch blurry, but in my defense, rays can swim a lot faster than me and while I’m not scared of anything in the water (except sea snakes…don’t ask), I am very conscientious of how close I am to them.

I can see why they put Bartolome towards the end of the itinerary; it is included in almost all itineraries to the Galapagos. Despite the heat, it was a wonderful stop!

They love to twist and turn and chase your flippers. They seemed to be very interested in flippers….such interesting and adorable creatures. Again, do I need to repeat my warning? Do not provoke, bother, or try to TOUCH said sea lions. Obviously.

I’ll do a separate post on Galapagos gear, but I did wear a Patagonia shorty wetsuit. I still got cold. And rash guards here are a MUST, just to protect you from the sun. You are on the equator, don’t forget. I think I was looking for starfish in the picture, but who knows–it’s fun to dive down just to see what’s down there. I’ve gotten much better at popping my ears on the way down, so mainly restricted by my awful ability to hold my breath–embarrassing for an ex-swimmer. One of our guides was an expert free-diver, and it was amazing to see him dive down and just “hang out” with the sea life for a bit.

Floreana is one of the few populated islands on the Galapagos, though we didn’t go into “town”, we could see lights as we approached the night before. Floreana is best known for the “Post Office Barrel” where British whalers used to leave messages for those coming after.

These days, the barrel serves as a fun novelty: if you are passing through, you review the postcards in the barrel and find one or two that you can hand deliver. For us, it was easy, since we live in DC and there were multiple cards addressed there. I was always a sucker for the “postcard chain game” that seemed to bee big when we were kids–where you were supposed to send a postcard to the first person on the list and so on–though they always failed. So this was fun.

It was blistering hot on Floreana, and we were all excited to be off the mainland and back to the boat in the evening.

Our boat crew–on the Nemo III–was fantastic, as was the food. Given I’m a sucker for towel art, napkin art, and other such things, I just melted over our daily fruit animal creations. I mean, a giant tortoise complete with a Sally Lightfoot crab on top?! Yea, so cute. I’m a relatively picky eater, and was a bit concerned about the food on the boat. But not only was it delicious, it was healthy, plentiful, and well prepared. It wasn’t gourmet or fancy, but it was just what you wanted after a long day swimming and hiking. There were always tons of fresh fruits and vegetables and various sources of protein. I was super impressed.

Next stop? Santa Cruz to see the giant tortoises!

Kicker Rock is this protruding rock in the middle of the ocean that looks, well, pretty much like a boot or high-top sneaker. Sunsets are just gorgeous on the ocean, aren’t they?

Snorkeling in the Galapagos is fantastic, but one of the highlights is definitely snorkeling with the sea lions. The pups really like to play, and play they do with both each other and the snorkelers! Obviously, it goes without saying* that you should never touch/feed/provoke or otherwise act stupidly with a wild animal.

*(Um, people in Yellowstone picking up the bison calf or also in Wyoming picking up the baby antelope and putting in their car with their dogs? Sigh. Since there is clearly limited common sense in the world, I feel like it doesn’t go without saying–better say it.)

Isla Lobos was the first time we had the opportunity to snorkel with the sea lions. Anyhow, the pups will swim and play with you, and all you have to do is float, paddle a bit, and watch them have a blast. It’s so much fun.  One pup was particularly interested in DH…I so wish I had gotten a photo of their encounter, but they were literally just watching each other, while DH was floating and the pup got closer and closer and closer. He/she then darted at DH, really startling him, and then started swimming and diving in circles like he was oh so very pleased with himself. More on sea lions soon, promise!

San Cristobal was simply beautiful, and the storm clouds looming gave such a beautiful contrast between sky and ocean. Tons to look at too, including lots of marine igaunas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, and birds–including finches, a pelican, and diving blue footed boobies.

While we did have a lot of activities scheduled every day on our Galapagos trip, the wildlife and the beauty of the islands made each excursion exciting and new. Our guides were fantastic at giving us ample time to ask questions, talk about the flora and the fauna, and also just wander/explore/take pictures on our own. Traveling in a very small boat and a very small group was something that was very important to us when we selected an operator for this trip (Natural Habitat), and I’m so glad it was something we prioritized. Plus, our group was largely wonderful, so it was fun to get to know them at the same time.

Next up, the island of Floreana!

Like sea lions. Playing, lounging, eating, playing.

And this is me, hoping I never ever ever have to get into a sea kayak again.

Next, we went snorkeling in Gardner Bay. I really think that snorkeling in the Galapagos in underrated–it is the best snorkeling we’ve had and just beautiful. Gardner Bay was particularly fun, as there was a huge drop off right off the islet–about 30 feet. So you have rock on one side, and coral/fish underneath you, and then it just goes down and down and down. The water had a ton of air bubbles in it, so visibility with a camera wasn’t great, even though it looked pretty clear in person. Lots of the chocolate chip sea stars.

While we were not in season for the huge waved albatross (missed by just a few weeks), there were a ton of Nazca boobies on Espanola. They are pretty when adults, but the chicks are awkward and very fluffy. They also are demanding for food from their parents. There are usually 2 chicks that hatch, but one chick (the alpha) kills the other, often by pushing him/her off the rocks. Survival of the fittest indeed. Side note: wings are so weird when developing–look at those bones and vessels underneath.

And of course, the marine iguanas. You have to watch where you step, otherwise you step on them. They crawl over sea lions without batting an eye, and generally don’t move (unless chasing one another…rarely it seemed). Their colors vary island by island. Many of the marine iguanas on Espanola seemed to have a bit more green and less black than on other islands. With no real predators on land, these iguanas seem to have a pretty cushy life.

We also saw more types of finches, a Galapagos hawk I think, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Next stop, Floreana!

I have blond (well, I guess it’s more blond “ish” at this point) hair, that is super fine in texture but thick. It also doesn’t really like ocean water or chlorine that much. One dip in the ocean, and at its current length–without some product help–it would take me at least a day, swearing, and some gobs of hair in the trash to comb it out.

I also recently started swimming quite a bit more (getting in to triathlons!), and while I couldn’t tell a difference with one swim a week, when I went to two swims a week my hair took a nosedive. It’s pretty amazing that when I was a child with long, super blond hair that it didn’t look a whole lot worse after those twice a day 2-3 hour swim workouts! I do remember making my mom buy me a whole lot of UltraSwim shampoo and other products to ensure I could actually run my fingers through it without an ouch.

So, considering we are headed to the Galapagos for a lot of time in the ocean, I wanted to share some products I love that help my hair survive/repair both chlorine and salt water.* Also–whoever started the urban legend that wearing a swim cap protects your hair is an idiot…is your hair still wet under the cap? Exactly. I still am not entirely convinced that putting conditioner on your hair under the cap does much else than condition the pool either. And who wears a swim cap in the ocean, other than for triathlons or open water swims?

*And nope, none of these products are sponsored! Some of these are affiliate links, which help keep the blog up and running. As always thanks for supporting TS.

1. Biosilk Silk Therapy

I don’t know what’s in this stuff, though I’m guessing not really much silk (label says ethyl ester of hydrolyzed silk…ha…it is paraben free). This stuff is a miracle. Rub a glob on after you are in the ocean/pool and you’ll think your hair really feels like silk. Particularly useful for the ends–it makes my hair a touch greasy if I smear too much of it on my roots. Super useful product that literally erases the “straw hair” feeling with a quarter size dollop.

I know I’ll be in and out of the water probably twice per day in the Galapagos. And on a boat, showering twice a day just isn’t really reasonable (or practical, when you are sweating, in the water, out of the water, sweating…). Biosilk will ensure my hair stays tangle free and is a bit more protected from all the salt and sun (though it doesn’t pronounce to have UV protection).

I find it’s cheapest on Amazon; Aveda salons sometimes carry it as well. You can find travel size bottles! For the quantity you get and what this stuff does, it’s a steal.

2. Triswim Conditioner

This is a new product for me, but I find it works on my hair better than anything else I’ve tried. It’s a thick conditioner that is not to leave any residue (though I rarely blow dry my hair to find out if that claim is true). It leaves my hair thick, shiny, and not at all greasy and has Keratin in it too. It smells not so bad. It’s great for using when you actually do wash your hair after a day at the pool or beach.

I also have the Triswim shampoo, and I find it runny, weird smelling, and not that great. I’ll use the rest of it but won’t pick up another bottle.

Amazon is also my go to for TriSwim! Also paraben free. Not super expensive, runs $15 or so a bottle.

3.  Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo

This is a long standby for me, in the water and out of it. Though I really appreciate it’s effectiveness now that I’m swimming more. It’s a shampoo meant to be used weekly to give the hair a good cleanse, cleaning off residue from other products as well as oil. It’s refreshing to use. It also makes my hair feel really, really clean without ever drying it out or making it brittle.

Find it at Sephora. More expensive at $25 for 8 oz, but you are only supposed to be using it once per week after all. A bottle lasts me a really long time; I still haven’t found anything else I like better. At salons that carry Bumble and Bumble you can find travel sizes, but they are hard to order.

4. Living Proof Restore Instant Protection

I have gotten into the habit of curling my hair a bit more frequently, and this stuff is great to spray on before any type of heat tool. But it also protects from UV rays, which is pretty cool. A quick spray of this after you get out of the water not only gives you the semblance of control of those flyaways, it offers your hair some protection from the effects of chlorine/salt + sun that can do such a number on many hair types.

Plus, it smells delicious. I usually buy off the Living Proof website (here), but you can also find it on Sephora (here). It also isn’t cheap, but it’s a good buy and lasts for some time.  Also comes in a travel size on their website (though that size is crazy expensive)–better to watch for one of Living Proof’s great deals/bonus offers, which happen routinely.

What products get your hair through sand, salt, chlorine, and the sun with minimal damage/disaster?

We are headed to the Galapagos in just about a month! The Galapagos really blends two things DH and I both love–water/snorkeling and animals. We are excited about spending some time in the highlands in Ecuador as well.

We’ll be in a hotel for about 3 nights, on a ship for 6, and in a safari-style lodge for a single night. I’m not a huge fan of boats, so while I know many travelers like longer trips, I’m quite happy with 6 days on a ship.

We pack lightly, but the Galapagos will require some new/different gear. My mom went to the Galapagos less than 2 years ago, and also provided us some suggestions of things we needed, along with the guidance we received from our operator (Natural Habitat).

Here are five things I’m definitely packing for the Galapagos that I don’t always take with me on other trips:

1. A shorty wet-suit: I’m like the biggest water wimp pretty much ever. I get cold in the Caribbean, and last about an hour without shivering violently. I’m no penguin. Yes, they do provide these on the boat but if you know me, you know I’m a germaphobe and wearing a stranger’s wetsuit just isn’t happenin’.  Mine is a Patagonia R1 Spring Jane.
2. Lots of spray sunscreen: I never ever have spray sunscreen, but when you are wet all the time, it’s significantly easier to apply. In travel size, obviously. Still not checking a bag! As always, Amazon is my go to for sunscreen — but check the expiration when it arrives.
3. Swim tights: I’ve been warned of jelly fish, plus they’ll help to keep me warm and ensure that I worry less about the sun while in the water or on a kayak for extended periods. UPF 50 should be great around the equator! I’ll of course have my normal rashguard for snorkeling as well. These are from Athleta, because their return policy (any time, any reason) is the best. Similar here (on sale!).
4. Dry bags: really necessary for wet landings where you have to hop into the water to reach the shore. Don’t want a wet camera when there are boobies (red and blue, of course) to be seen! I was gifted a set of various sizes, perfect for my camera and equipment.  Check out Amazon, REI, or any outdoor store, similar here.
5. Water-appropriate shoes: for wet landings in water, sometimes there is lava, not sand, so bare feet just don’t cut it. I’m taking Tevas, but DH found some awesome draining sneakers from Adidas that will do the job (and he can walk/hike for a bit in them, too)! Amazon, again. These are the original Tevas, and mine were a whopping $23 when I found them on Amazon.

And of course my own snorkel will be coming with me (see earlier germaphobe reference).

It is likely to be a bit cool in the highlands, so I’ll probably need a lite layer/coat–plus, planes are like freezer boxes anyway, so I’ll definitely have something warm even though it will be hot in the islands.

Not only am I excited for the Galapagos, I’m in need of a solid vacation, too, though I always miss the dog. I’ll post my packing list as the trip gets closer!

Have you been to the Galapagos? Anything you definitely wished you had brought with you and didn’t have?

Fortunately for me, it was only once, and we were on open ocean. I somehow held it together otherwise.

The British Virgin Islands are beautiful–and it’s fun to be able to see them by boat. We stopped at all of the favorite places, including Jost van Dyke, Anegada, The Baths, Virgin Gorda, and Tortola. Plus smaller islands I am most certainly missing. The weather was great, the food was delicious, and the snorkeling was fantastic. The Baths had the most picturesque snorkeling (sadly, I was lacking an underwater camera at the time) and we saw a turtle when we were at Anegada. Every now and then we’d just pull up to a tiny island and hop off to snorkel.

It was the first time I’d eaten conch fritters, decided I wasn’t a fan of barracudas under the boat, and figured out that showering in the cabin bathrooms is pretty much impossible.

Of course we had to stop at the Willy T’s, the infamous ship/bar near Norman Island. Sad but true story: you used to be able to jump off the bow (probably 15-20 feet) into the water naked for a free t-shirt. About 2 months before we got there, someone died…so they abandoned the practice.  T-shirts were only up for purchase.  I wore my Willy T’s shirt until it wore out, and I was pretty shocked by the number of times in Washington DC I got asked if I had earned my shirt! Particularly in line at Whole Foods…

It seems like so long ago–and indeed, it actually was 9 years ago. So here are some great photos overlooking the beautiful Caribbean.

I don’t know many travelers who don’t have the Galapagos Islands on their “must see” list. If you like wildlife (errr….”like” may be a bit of an understatement for me), the Galapagos are an obvious choice for a trip.  And my mom’s photo just makes me even MORE excited to go!

But, if you’ve ever planned for the Galapagos, you know the incredibly wide and seemingly endless amount of options that exist. Ship-based? Land-based? Big ship? Small ship? Catamaran? Sailing vessel? Luxury? Simple? Focus of trip?  How much do you want to spend? I swear, you could spend years just doing research on how to get there and who to go with.

When we first started looking at the Galapagos, I already knew that we wanted a sea-based trip, so we could see more things in a shorter period of time. We also were looking for a small boat (no more than 36 people and preferably less), a focus on wildlife and activity (lots of opportunities for snorkeling, hiking, etc.), a nice ship, with a reputable company. That narrows down the options pretty darn fast.

We settled with a company that we used before–Natural Habitat (they coordinated our recent safari in Kenya, too, though Galapagos is obviously with a group). Even Natural Habitat has a plethora of Galapagos options…three different boats, all catering to different types of travelers. Natural Habitat also partners with the World Wildlife Fund.

Useless side note of the day: World Wildlife Fund has the cutest stuffed animals, including a blue-footed booby! Just in case you needed one for your house…

While the Athala (with its luxurious cabins and hot tub) had me at hello, we ultimately opted for the Nemo III (a new ship), the trip with the fewest people, more snorkeling, and special kayaking permits. The group is limited to a small 14 people and includes an awesome night in a safari-style camp overlooking the giant tortoises! The focus on being active and doing lots of snorkeling is pretty obvious–we love to snorkel, and having at least one opportunity if not more per day to hop in the water sounds amazing (albeit cold).

The kayaking thing is a little bit laughable–apparently you need to know how to right your kayak and have some skill at paddling. While dear husband and I can certainly get from point A to point B (we kayaked quite a bit in Belize), it’s never been in truly open ocean, and we spend a lot of time arguing over direction. Of which I say DH can’t steer (and to which he says I have no sense of direction). They give us some skill lessons at the beginning, so here’s to hoping we aren’t the village kayaking idiots.

I’m excited to see what the Galapagos will bring! As long as I have my motion sickness patch, that is.

Have you been to the Galapagos? What was your favorite experience?