The beginning

It's 6 weeks till we leave but this trip really began the second I saw that we could combine the Galapagos Islands, Amazon Jungle and Machu Picchu all in one trip.  It really hit home when the money left the bank and winged it's way to the travel agent and I heard Blondie, our self-serving, obnoxious GPS, sulking in the cupboard - she will not be going with us this time!

So now we have the empty suitcases waiting patiently on the floor in the spare room, my camera is almost humming in anticipation and I have changed the hard drive in a tiny light weight laptop to a much bigger one.  I just know tha

t we are going to take a gazillion photos and plan on downloading them onto the little laptop to free up my camera cards - I could not bear to run out of space to take photos!

What a trip this is going to be - the short version is: (photos are not mine)

QUITO, EIGHT DAY MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER, EIGHT DAY 

GALAPAGOS LEGEND CRUISE, AND MACHU PICCHU 

 

This tour combines colonial Quito with an eight day river cruise through Ecuador’s Amazon Basin on the Manatee Amazon Explorer, an eight day Galapagos Islands cruise on the Galapagos Legend, and Machu Picchu.  You will cruise the Napo River and its tributaries and visit Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.  You will also experience one of Ecuador’s best parrot clay licks, and have a chance to see giant river otters, caimans, and pink river dolphins.  The Galapagos Islands offers unique ecosystems and plant and animal species that evolved in isolation and are found nowhere else onEarth.The final part of this tour will be a visit to Peru and Machu Picchu, the spectacular mountain top citadel known as the 'Lost city of the Incas'. 

 

The Manatee Amazon Explorer is a river motor yacht that accommodates 30 passengers in 14 double cabins.  Each cabin has a private bathroom, air conditioning, and hot water.  The social areas include a dining room, bar, laundry, boutique, and sun deck/balcony. 

 

The Galapagos Legend is a 100 passenger deluxe expedition ship that offers the comforts and amenities of a larger cruise liner.  It is air conditioned throughout, and features 57 cabins with lower beds, private bathroom, safe, and mini bar.  The ship's spacious social areas include a pool, Jacuzzi, Fisherman's Bar, observation decks, al fresco dining areas, a spacious passenger lounge, dining room, boutique, library, and conference room.  Snorkeling equipment and wets suits can be rented on board. 

This all sounds beyond amazing to me - it also includes a total of 11 flights, and I don't particularly enjoy flying at all.  But hey - I know I am going to be just fine, although Franks arms and hand might be black and blue by the time we get home from my hanging on to him especially through the landings and taking off.

Ok - thats enough for a start - especially since its still a long time to go before we get started..

More as things unfold...

love and light

Annie