Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

We have taken a lot of great family vacations but never have we been able to get so close to amazing and unique animals.  I think the only thing missing from our trip was more family.  I hope we can return with all my little cousins one day! 

Just want to say thank you to my brothers for graduating from their respective programs.  

I really, really, really enjoyed your graduation present.  

Thanks Mom and John for your incredible planning skills and for a memorable family vacation.  And in response to your offer to take more 

vacations so that I may continue travel blogging, I accept.

 

Mom and John made a quick trip over to the Charles Darwin center last night and they got to see more of the tortoises. I watched a video that Mom shot (I'd post it but it's sideways... need to edit) and I noticed that the tortoises eat like cookie monster.  Lots of chewing going on but not much seems to be going down.  I'll miss those goofy behemoths.

Lessons Learned

1.  Walkie talkies were a great idea. 


2.  We forgot binoculars.

3.  Bring sunscreen.  It is crazy expensive down here.  Especially at the Airport.  The rash guard I borrowed (Thanks Rebecca!!) was superb as protection from the sun.

4.  Don't bring Flippers - not worth the space they require.  I was fine without in the areas where we swam.  Mask and snorkel cost around $18 if you want to rent them, but we enjoyed having our own.

5.  Use Taxis as tour guides, or at least don't be afraid to venture out on your own.  Land and Bay tours are overpriced for what they offer.


6.  LAN, is a great airline. They feed and water (and wine) you to your heart's content.

7.  So glad I was able to borrow an underwater camera.  The underwater conditions were a bit cloudy, but honestly we were all so happy to have proof that we saw turtles and sharks! From my whole family,  
Thank you Brian!!


8.  Coffee here is FAN-TAS-TIC!

9.  Renting a house was a really great idea for us.  It was cheaper than getting hotel rooms and cooking was a HUGE cost saver.  We were at least $60 under budget on food everyday and we ate like kings.

10.  Wash and Fold service is $0.75/lb - and my whites have never been whiter. Pack very light.

11.  There was a moment for all of us when our feet were sore.  I wish I brought sneakers in addition to flip flops and water shoes.

12.  We brought a first aid kit and we definitely used it.

Favorite Things

Blue Footed Boobies - we were able to get so close.

The Fish Market and resulting meals

The Sea Lions at the Fish market 

Water Taxis were a fun form of transportation.

Thanks for following the Barnes / Respess Family Blog!  I hope that you enjoyed my writing and perhaps at times, you could almost feel that cool ocean breeze blowing across your skin.  I'm home now, but sometimes when I close my eyes and feel a breeze,
I'm back in the Galapagos again.

-Catherine "Katie" Respess