FACT FILE
Galapagos
There is a $100 park fee (cash only) upon arrival in the Galapagos. There is also a $40 airport departure tax (cash only) when leaving Ecuador.
M/C Athala Built: 2007
Beam: 37ft Decks: 3
Draft: 4.6ft
include a visit to the Gala- paguera de Cerro Colorado tortoise breeding center.
Española: We made two landings on the archipelago’s southern-most island. In the
morning, we stepped ashore on to Gardner Bay beach, a magnifi cent sensual arc of soft, white sand with a resident colony of sea-lions. We also went snorkelling with sea-lions near the two small islets just off the beach. In the afternoon, we landed at Suarez Point, to visit the major breeding colony for most of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It was fascinating to watch their elaborate beak-slapping court- ship ritual. The island also teemed with mockingbirds, blue-footed and masked boobies, Darwin fi nches, Galapagos doves, hawks and reddish green marine iguanas.
Genovesa: Off the beaten track of most cruises, this island is home to the region’s largest red-footed booby colony and a large magnifi cent frigate bird colony. You can usu- ally get to within a few meters of the nesting
frigates, some with bright red, infl ated throat pouches (about the size of a soccer ball!). This tiny island is a true bird-watcher’s para- dise and its sea cliffs provide ideal nesting sites for swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, tropicbirds and the elusive short-eared owl.
Galapagos wildlife is so fearless of hu-
mans, you can enjoy the famous blue-foot- ed booby’s two-step courting dance within touching distance. Mockingbirds will hop on to your shoes and peck at your shoelac- es, and playful sea-lions will perform fi gure eights around you while you’re snorkeling. In short, you don’t have to sneak up on the wildlife in the Galapagos… but you do have to watch where you step.
Passengers: 16 Length: 98ft
Max speed: 12 kn Crew: 11
HAUGAN CRUISES offers 4-, 5-, and 8-day itineraries starting at $2,100. Itineraries change every year, according to park schedules, so check the website to see which islands are being covered.
MORE INFO: In the US, call 1877 268 9402, or 020 8144 9243 in the UK; www.
galapagosislands.com and www.
haugancruises.com. Or see the Adventure Cruise Collection – www.
cruiseline.co.uk/p-id/adventure-cruises or 0800 008 6677.
You will have to overnight in the city of Quito before and after your cruise. The reasonably priced SWISSOTEL QUITO, with its modern luxury accommodations, convenient location close to the Old City and free airport shuttle, is an ideal choice.
While you’re in Quito, plan on spending an extra day to explore the Old City’s 16th and 17th century architecture. Look up www.swissotel. com or call +593 2 256 8260.
Summer 2010 I WORLD OF CRUISING
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