I am not really a nature-lover person, just the thought of insects crawling up my legs and stepping on gooey mud when hiking up a mountain grosses me out, but this trip was an exception. Seeing volcanic white sand, sparkling turquoise water, and interacting with sea lions was amazing. It all started on July 19, 2012 when we arrived to the TAME counter in Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International airport. My family and I were ready to depart to the enchanted islands of Galapagos.
The Galapagos Islands, best known as the location of Charles Darwin’s observation of finches, and his theory of evolution and natural selection, is located 1,000 km away from Ecuador. There is a wide diversity of animals and places with panoramic views of the island.
My family and I visited a total of 4 islands (San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, and Bartolomé). Each island had a beauty of its own.
From Quito, Ecuador’s Capital, to the island of San Cristobal is a 2 hour flight. Our first stop was CERRO TIJERETAS (Frigate Bird Hill), the loop is 3.5 miles and travel time is 2 hours. It is one of the only places where you can watch two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony. The males, with long wings and tail, have a red pouch underneath their beaks which inflate like a balloon during the breeding season to attract a mate. After we walked the hill, we went to the pier to catch our boat to the hotel, Hotel Crossman, in Santa Cruz. The boat ride from San Cristobal to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz was about 2 hours. The only method to get from island to island is on a boat.
In Santa Cruz, we visited the Charles Darwin Research Station; this is where the legendary Lonesome George, the last turtle of his species, lives. Sadly, just 2 days after we visited him, news spread that George, 100 yrs. old, had died. I cried when I heard of his death, it’s unbelievable to see such a historic animal before his last days. You can donate money to the Charles Darwin Research station, with your donation they can investigate more on endangered species. (http://www.darwinfoundation.org/english/pages/index.php )
“The Rock” restaurant is the place to eat in Puerto Ayora, many locals and tourists enjoy the food and the specialty of the island, Wahoo fish, a dry fish similar to tuna. Don’t forget to go to Tortuga Bay, a white sandy beach with turquoise water. Remember to bring your camera, as there are several sea lions on the beach. You can take pictures with them, but stay at least 1 meter away from them; as they can be aggressive animals.
In Isabela, snorkeling is the best thing to do; swimming and being able to see fish and sea lions up close was an unforgettable experience. Las Tintoreras is a long walk but so worthwhile because you can find a selection of penguins, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, flamingos and sharks.
At our last stop, the island of Bartolomé, which used to be a volcano, you can walk up 450 stairs to see volcanic rock and dried lava encompassing the blue-greenish oceanic water. From the last mirador, one can see the famous Pinnacle rock, which is a Galapagos landmark.
This trip has made me appreciate nature and the uniqueness of what the Island has to offer. It made me understand the importance of animals and their habitat, because many animal species in the Galapagos and worldwide are in danger of extinction. I invite you all to visit this Natural Heritage of Humanity.
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Grt place to visit.. This place is located after entering the Ranthambore National Park.. However, to visit this place u can evn get your own vehicle…
John, glad you liked the story. This park is in Ohio where the weather can be unpredictable! It’s warmest between late April and November, but even April has the risk of some snow. If you’re camping with kids, the safest bet is June to August, because it’s warmer and there’s little rain. Enjoy your trip.
Hey Maggie, I really appreciate your innovative traveling ideas. You have covered so many adventurous places. Waiting for some new destinations. Please keep posting.
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Game Lover
It’s truly magical being there. I love the art this country offers. Their wall arts and crafts are just lovely.
Hi Maggie,
You always share to the world with something new and different destinations. Thank you so much for sharing.
The history of Cuhahoga valley national park seems interesting and must be a new experience when we observe scenes of National park from their scenic campgrounds.
which season do you think is the best time to visit this national park?
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Wow, what a nice article. Makes you feel like you should pack up and go immediately. It seems Linblad runs a good operation and trips are kid friendly. Is there a list of particular dates that are family friendly or are there kid activities year round on board the boats. Any other advice on travling with kids to Ecuador and Galapagos would be really welcome.
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Hello Michael, glad to hear your family is interested in a dude ranch holiday.
Since your kids are older and, hopefully, everyone in the family rides, you have lots of options. The Dude Ranchers Association is a really helpful resource in sorting through the many types of ranch vacations. For example, you can go here: https://duderanch.org/by-activity-amenity and search for ‘Advanced Rides’ and “Cattle Drives’ and that would get you some real working ranches that would have more of the lifestyle you seem to be looking for. One of our authors recommends the Hideout in Shell, Wyoming for this type of trip.
Looking for a real ranch experience with horseback riding (lots of it) and time in the open air with my son (15) and daughter (12) and my wife (49). I am 62. We live in NJ, my children have been sheltered but I grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. I want my children to see another side of life.
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Great destinations for First Night and New Year’s Eve! Check out our favourite ones in Europe: https://tapsy.blog/?s=new+year%27s+eve
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Of course, you can do travel freely and easily through these two countries yourself, but I enjoyed having the trip curated for me, including well-chosen local guides, comfortable transportation on call and some superb private tours, such as a Khmer cooking class or historic walking tour of Saigon, with flexibility in the itinerary for our group of five to follow their own paths, such as making an emotional detour to the moving Genocide Museum housed in the old S-21 jail in Phnom Penh.
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I enjoyed reading your Italian family vacation story, and thank you so much for these tips. This surely gonna help us achieve a stress-free vacation in Italy. Great blog!
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For Richard re: dual citizenship US-Nicaragua… can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Hi Richard, In our travel experience, this type of document should work well for your travels, but if your wife is available, it can’t hurt to download the sample forms we have online and also have her fill out and notarize one for your trip with your child. The agency responsible in your case will be the carrier — we assume an airline — and if they can make a note in your travel record that they have approved the Nicaraguan documents you should be fine on both departing and entering.
Safe Travels!
Wow, great!!! it could be a great fun out there.
very informative article Travel forums provide first hand experience and advice to travelers and are a great source of information and travel tips.
As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well.
The grand archways and the paintings of Lord Krishna and his cows are a visual treat. Wander through areas opened for tourists and you shall witness the impressive aura and architecture of the Royal state of Rajasthan.
Thanks for Sharing
Hello guys my wife and I have dual citizenship US-Nicaragua, I’m planning to travel to the US with our son also dual citizenship for 3 weeks, with a Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) from Nicaragua, can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Congratulations to the winners! A question to all the professional travelers here, how are you planning the route ant the places to see while visiting a new country? As for me I just google the most touristic and popular places. It works mostly, but there were a few times when I realized that I have seen only some the places this country or city is famous for, and that’s sad. On my last trip to Armenia, I decided to take a tour and it was quite productive. It’s much more informative when somebody is telling you history and some interesting facts. If someone wants to save their time – make sure to ask them to help if you’ll ever be there.
Curitiba é uma lugar lindo, além de ser considerada uma das melhores cidades para se morar em Brasil.
Realmente a muito o que conhecer por lá, como também diversas outras belezas do nosso brasil.
Principalmente as praias do Brasil que são muito procurada por inúmeros turistas internacionais e nacionais.
As Praias do Litoral Paulista, divididos entre Praias do Litoral Norte e Litoral Sul.
As mais conhecidas são as Praias de Ubatuba com mais de 100 belas praias no litoral norte paulista.
Já no litoral sul, a região mais procurada são as Praias de Guarujá, a região conta com 23 praias de pura beleza e preservação ambiental.
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I would like to add my baby equipment company, Nana’s Baby Equipment. I serve the entire island of Kauai with aloha!
Mahalo,
Sharon Hackleman
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Was an honour and pleasure to host you both in the Maori Whakata/Welcome to Wanaka. Welcome back anytime to this wonderful part of the world.
Kia Kaha/Stay strong
[http://www.wanahaka.co.nz]