I promise in the next few days I will write a report. Did not take a lap top so have to start from scratch to write and with the grandkid here and work to catch up on it is going to take a few days. Few quick thoughts.

ONLY way to see the Galapagos is by boat. There are lots of boats down there most not very good although many rated five star- that is a relative term. Small cabins etc. Most run a 3 night then a 4 night trip or you can take the full 7 days. (Celebrity you have to do a 7 night trip and then days before it makes it very long)

Linda tried the boat we thought would be the best the Explorer 11 (old Renaissance ship) The cabins were okay but the bathrooms really tiny and the food really poor. She did a 3 night trip. Good bird colonies probably better choice than the four night.

We did the Klein tours option this time through Ker & Downey, they have three boats. Coral 1, Coral 11 and the Legend. We chose the Coral 1, four night trip. The ship was just refurbished and on its third trip since it came back. It holds 32 and was very good.

Coral 1. was rated a four star BEFORE refurbishment. Now definitely a FIVE star ship.

The main lounge was all rich woods, great bar and leather chairs in perfect groupings for conversation. A hot tub at the back and a small sports platform at the back (two sea lions climbed aboard and just laid back there not bothered by us at all). The dining room was also nicely laid out and the food was good. It was not fancy but good basic food that was really tasty. We did not have a bad meal. Everything was buffet. The cabins were SMALL but this is a small yacht. Amazingly we grew used to the size but I am talking small here. The naturlists were top flight, excellent and great guides. Both Marine Biologists. No entertainment except for the bartender/waiter who was a hoot. I wish Suzanne had been there she would have had a blast with this guy. The chef could not speak a word of English but had us in stitches. GREAT crew. I would not recommend this ship for a couple because if you hit the ship with a group who know each other it may not be as comfortable in my opinion but a group of 6 or more this would be a good option. If you could take the whole ship it would be fantastic. Set your own schedule and visit the best islands, get it all inclusive of drinks tips etc. WAit until I post pictures of "fabio" our nickname for our guide. A god in a speedo - Suzanne and Sheri control yourselves. We could request him too!!!!

We visited Coral 11 - no way - older desperately needs refurbishing would not go there at all. Definitely a four star.

We visited the LEGEND. Rated a five star.

Reminds me of the Song of Flower. Holds just over 100 people so more people BUT - better cabins than the Coral 1. The least expensive cabins are better than the Coral 1 and the next two categories up there are some really nice cabins with big windows. About like the Song of Flower cabins even a little better in the middle and upper categories. This is a great ship, good feel, lots of woods etc. The food looked great too. Our naturlist said the food on the Legend was the best in the Galapagos. (He is free lance and moves from ship to ship but said he prefers the Klein ships he thinks they are the best company). More options of course with more people. You get a choice and select your dinner menu at lunch. Still basic fare not gourment but nice fresh quality. This ship had a cruise director and more things to do - a swimming pool as well. I can recommend this ship without hestiation with the caveat to remember this is the GALAPAGOS and not Radisson so to lower your standards. However the ship had a great feel everyone we talked to loved it. For 7 nights this would be the ship to take.

As the to the Galapagos itself, fascinating. Ken is working on pictures and hopefully tomorrow or the next day he will have some up on ofoto.com. They will tell the story.

The snorkeling was outstanding. You do snorkel with sea lions, penguins, turtles. The sea lions came right up to you and looked in your mask.

The walks on land are not strenuous but you must be able to walk on very uneven surfaces. I do think that some of the people trying to do this should not have been trying. You have to walk over lava and it can be slippery. Many people in their 70s were doing it but some actually need walking sticks - not a good idea in my opinion.

Then you have the zodiac rides and I always love those. Riding around the cliffs looking at the animals - great fun.

Two activities a day. One in the morning around 8.30am departure back for lunch and one in the afternoon at about 3.30 pm departure. You can snorkel or not as you chose. A break in between for the ship to move islands and for a rest or socialization. Iguanas everywhere, crabs, sea lions you can walk right up to, birds, sea turtles, rays - animals and birds everywhere. No large bird colonies on the four day that is only on the three day.

No "entertainment" but they do a 7.00 pm nightly briefing about the next day and keep you informed. Each night they have a "complimentary cocktail" during the briefing.

Getting there. Fly into Quito the night before. Then a 2 1/2 flight to the islands then board. The 3, 4 or 7 night trip. Coming home the same flight back to Quito, one overnight in Quito and home again.

A great combo would be Machu Picchu first then the 3 or 4 night Galapagos. You do see different things on the 3 and 4 night. It gets tiring though so 7 nights might be long. After you see about 3000 iguanas gets pretty common place.

They showed where "Master and Commander" was filmed.

I am going to add the Galapagos to my web so will have lots of information as soon as I can pull it all together. I am going to get a package priced by Ker& Downey combining Machu Picchu and 3, 4 and 7 night Legend cruise.

As a side note we were on the ship with the Ker & Downey President, David Marek and his adorable (Meg Ryan) wife Jana and one of his employees "Chi". All three wonderful people and David and Jana are a GREAT couple. We had such a good time with them. I am encouraging them to take a Radisson cruise and for Jana to post here. What a great girl she is, full of life and so like Meg Ryan in both looks and personality. She would love this board if she started to post. She loves the interent and I am hoping she will "join us" soon. Of course she has been to Africa many times over and knows a lot of information for the "Roarers". They are all up in the Amazon right now in a lodge in the jungle. Three hours up in a boat into the jungle. I could have done that too but that long out of the office and out of interent communication was just too much time.

That should keep you all going until I can get my
act together. Any direct questions I will answer.