Ecuador and Galapagos - 2/17/14

Monday 2-17-2014

Up at 4:40 AM; none slept too well.  Had coffee quickly and one-hour ride to the airport, arriving at 7:00 AM. Stood on line for 40 minutes to register for Galapagos and pay $10/person entry fee. Breezed through check-in. (We had consolidated bags the night before, with Deb and I combining our clothes in the yellow bag, Glenda using Deb's checked bag, and leaving Glenda's huge bag at the hotel for our return.)
After check-in and security (minimal) we stopped at airport cafe for breakfast. Smooth flight to Guyaquil, where we stopped, stayed on plane, and took on a fresh load of passengers.  On to the Galápagos Islands.
Arrived at noon CST.  Entry is a bit of a cock-up - stand in line for slow immigration check in, then hold in place as employee escorts group of four of us to the cashier, where we paid $100 per person, cash only, for the park entrance fee. On to a bus to the ferry from the island of Baltra (airport) to the island of Santa Cruz where the Royal Palm Hotel is located.
Hotel is top of the line - two adjoining casitas. Huge rooms, wonderful shower/jacuzzi and full service available (but, again, no potable water from the tap.)
Left at 3:00 for a tour of the tortoise area, where we saw huge domed tortoises wandering and even mating. Wonderful pictures and great young guide. She then took us to the city of Ayora, where the girls scored some Dramamine, I purchased an eyeglass retainer cord, and Darcy got to smoke a cigarette (the entire park and hotel area is non-smoking, she is having withdrawals.)
Back to hotel for dinner, expensive, and some wine.  Into bed by 9:00. We ordered room service for the next morning as our tour leaves at 7:00.AM.