Index
Day 1 - Guayaquil
Day 2 - Embarkation
Day 3 - N. Seymour/Rabida
Day 4 - Fernandina/Isabela
Day 5 - Isabela
Day 6 - Santiago
Day 7 - Santa Cruz
Day 8 - San Cristobal
Day 9 - San Cristobal
Day 10 - Return
Galapagos
Redeyes never get any better, and the overpriced airport breakfast in Houston certainly hasn't improved. Layover in Panama was just long enough to not feel rushed, although that was in part due to a slight delay on the Copa flight to Guayaquil. At least the delayed flight was in the nice part of Terminal 2 and not the old cramped part.
National Geographic/Lindblad Expeditions met everyone as we exited baggage claim. Half dozen of us were met by a polished team and driven to the hotel, where PCR testing was done for COVID-19 and pre-departure briefings were given.
Technically there was a bit of time to explore the neighborhood but since the trip had started nearly 18 hours ago and sleeping sitting up isn't one of my favorite activities, decided to stick to the hotel. Not sure who gave the Hotel Oro Verde their claimed 5 stars, but it didn't feel like one, with a merely okay interior and a main restaurant was decidedly so-so despite their best efforts.