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Bon Voyage Origin-als #254975 08/19/21 12:25 PM
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Marc Offline OP
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Looking forward to great sea mail from the Galapagos. If anyone can post a picture of Ngaire riding on top of a sea turtle that would be fantastic. clap

bonvoyage bonvoyage

:LCT:



Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #254981 08/20/21 04:49 AM
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We are now in Quito. All went smoothly. We were arranging a taxi on arrival and.a lady from Silversea asked us if we were on the Origin. She said I will take you to the hotel. We just lucked out. She had another couple and had room so let us join them. Told us all about the process and what to expect. She did a great job. Took 45 minutes to get from the airport to the hotel and cost $25 in a taxi.

Super nice hotel and room and they had food waiting for us in the room. Really nice chicken sandwich, fresh fruit and a chocolate bar.

Crashing now, antigen test tomorrow morning, lots of paperwork to fill out. Happy to be here

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #254985 08/20/21 07:08 PM
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Everything has been well organized with detailed instructions on what is going on in your room. Paperwork very easy. Simple health form and waivers for snorkel and Kayak use.

Easy getting the COVID test right in the hotel. Not heard anything on ours which means they were negative.

They give you tags for all your bags at the hotel. Put them out the night before with all shoes with very clean soles. No little stones or grasses on the soles. All luggage and particularly shoes are checked by the Galapagos inspectors. CLEAN YOUR SHOES BEFORE YOU COME. I forgot about this process so much easier to do at home.

Tour of Quito by night is offered. Tomorrow we split into three groups and taken to the airport, then a 45 minute flight to Guayaquil but we stay on the plane and carry onto the Galápagos Islands. 1 hr 45 minutes. We board zodiacs to get to the ship and they take ALL bags directly to the ship. No bags in the guest zodiacs. Going to be a long day. But then we are on the Origin which looks fantastic.

Be back once I am on the ship.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #254986 08/20/21 08:52 PM
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can't wait to be there in less than a week now. Thanks for the reminder about shoe cleaning. I got brand new water shoes as did George but will give my hiking shoes a thorough clean.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #254995 08/22/21 04:58 PM
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Ngaire Online
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The ship is really fantastic. Light and bright and so well laid out. The lounge where we have the briefings and recaps is directly across from the dining room. Food was good, Lunch I had seabass with roasted veges and for dinner I ordered the langoustines with cauliflower puree and added a filet to the plate. They said they only do meat medium well not medium rare but it came out cooked perfectly. At lunch today we are going to try the "Galapagos Seafood Market" on deck. Hopefully some nice fresh seafood.

The Base Camp is where the reception, is located. Also where you load the zodiacs. Very well handled and no big crowd at the same time loading the zodiacs. Very nice area.

Our first excursion was to walk around a path where all the birds were nesting. Nazca and Red Footed Boobies and Frigate birds and many other species. Ken took a ton of shots and he is currently editing the morning photographs.

Unfortunately we are having to wear masks on the ship when in the public lounges and when not eating or drinking. Of course most of the time we are eating or drinking. We were told the new policy was due to the Delta variant. Last week this was not in place as I understand it. You wear the mask in the zodiacs going ashore and then you can take them off once you reach land.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Ngaire] #254996 08/22/21 05:01 PM
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Marc Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Ngaire

They said they only do meat medium well not medium rare but it came out cooked perfectly.



I guess I will never sail Silver Origin. sad



Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #254997 08/22/21 05:26 PM
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lonestarlady Offline
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Originally Posted by Marc
Originally Posted by Ngaire

They said they only do meat medium well not medium rare but it came out cooked perfectly.



I guess I will never sail Silver Origin. sad


I'm with you Marc! That's crazy!


Cindy
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"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255000 08/22/21 06:26 PM
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I’m not going to tell George about the mask thing. He was so looking forward to not having to wear one.

As far as the steak cooking, I our experience, the beef is not that great on the Galapagos ships as it has to be locally sourced. Seafood on the other hand is outstanding due to same issue. So I will mostly stick with seafood.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255001 08/22/21 08:24 PM
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Agree, the mask thing sucks but it is what it is. I hope you have a wonderful cruise Ngaire & Ken.


Marcie

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255005 08/23/21 09:11 PM
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Ken Offline
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255006 08/23/21 09:13 PM
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255007 08/23/21 09:47 PM
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Landings have gone well. The expedition team is very good. Waitstaff are eager to please, with great personalities. We have 67 guests onboard and even at full capacity of 100 people I do not think the ship would be crowded. I really do like this ship, super comfortable.

Today we started with a zodiac ride and hugged the rock cliff looking at the birds nesting on the rocks. We saw two fur seals ( actually sea lions) coming down off the rocks to reach the water. Amazing how they managed to make their way down this rugged rock face. There were large schools of fish swimming around the zodiac. We ended up with a walk on shore. Saw land iguanas, lots of birds with small chicks. One juvenile blue footed booby kept coming closer and closer. Ended up right next to my shoe. Naturally curious it is amazing how unconcerned the animals are to humans. The sea lions are completely comfortable with us walking around. None of the charging seals like you see in Antarctica.

Tonight we have our KLT cocktail party outside on the deck at the rear of the boat. This outside public area is very protected from rain and wind as the majority of the deck area is glassed in on the sides and spacious with just the front open to the elements. Should be very nice.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255008 08/23/21 09:52 PM
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Can you get a little closer to the birds Ken!!! Can't wait to join you Saturday.


Maddy & Paul


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"You miss 100% of the shots you never take" - Wayne Gretzky
Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255009 08/23/21 10:01 PM
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For the birders going to the Galapagos, there is a free iPhone app called BirdsEye Galapagos. Lists birds of every island with pictures for ID.


Maddy & Paul


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"You miss 100% of the shots you never take" - Wayne Gretzky
Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255010 08/24/21 05:37 PM
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255018 08/26/21 03:15 PM
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Sitting in the Admirals Club at DFW waiting for our flight to Miami then onto Quito. Can’t wait to be on a ship again!

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255019 08/27/21 09:41 PM
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Have a GREAT time Rachel !


Marcie

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255020 08/29/21 12:46 AM
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Boarded today and Ngaire was right there to greet us. Mary Ellen and Jim are also onboard.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255021 08/29/21 01:17 AM
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Still have the mask rules? How is George handling that?


Cindy
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"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255022 08/29/21 12:20 PM
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Mask rules are strictly enforced. George is trying to revolt

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255023 08/29/21 12:55 PM
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Passenger had to be disembarked during the night. As a result, we are running behind schedule. Got up at 5:15 as we were supposed to be hiking at 7:00. Announcement was made at 6:45 that we were behind schedule. I already had my hiking shoes on. Needless to say, George is not a happy camper.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: RachelG] #255024 08/29/21 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by RachelG
Passenger had to be disembarked during the night. As a result, we are running behind schedule. Got up at 5:15 as we were supposed to be hiking at 7:00. Announcement was made at 6:45 that we were behind schedule. I already had my hiking shoes on. Needless to say, George is not a happy camper.


Good to hear that George was not the passenger disembarked during the night for his mask revolt.



Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255025 08/29/21 01:41 PM
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Ship is lovely. So nice to be cruising again…..

At Kicker Rock with Maddy and Paul

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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255026 08/29/21 01:45 PM
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It could happen. Lol.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255027 08/30/21 04:37 AM
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48 passengers and two disembarked takes you to 46. Eight in quarantine and you are down to 38. Ngaire and ken, have you been in quarantine?

Save the beef and the masks sounds like a great cruise.



Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255028 08/30/21 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Marc
48 passengers and two disembarked takes you to 46. Eight in quarantine and you are down to 38. Ngaire and ken, have you been in quarantine?


I didn't see a post about passengers being quarantined! Were these positive tests and/or showing symptoms?


Cindy
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255029 08/30/21 03:53 PM
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From Rachel's update on CC:

Quote
There was a recap and briefing at 6:45 followed by Captain’s welcome. The room seemed very empty. Partly due to 8 passengers from the previous cruise being on quarantine as someone on the previous cruise tested positive for covid upon debarkation in Guayaquil. They were tested yesterday, and negative. If they test negative again tomorrow, they will be off quarantine. I am not really worried as all have been vaccinated. It is even possible that the positive test in Guayaquil was a false positive as the person is symptomatic.


I am curious about the two people who got to the ship and on first day asked to be disembarked; there has got to be a great story there.



Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255030 08/30/21 05:15 PM
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The ship did the right thing quarantining those that were on the August 21 cruise where the one guest tested positive in Guayaquil on the way home. Always better to be safe than sorry. All the new guests had just been tested and we could have been exposed. There were 10 people staying for the second cruise. So of course we were part of that group quarantined it really was not that long. Just Saturday night to Monday morning, really one one full day. A test on Saturday night and a test on Sunday night and everyone was negative.

Not 100% positive but I think I know the couple that asked to be debarked. They were on the 8/21 cruise and really not physically fit enough for this trip. They were really struggling and could not walk far and had trouble boarding the zodiacs. As they were part of the 10 that needed to be quarantined I think they took at opportunity to leave the ship. It was probably best for everyone concerned. I have not seen them so pretty sure that is what happened.

So far the weather has been much better than it was on the first week. Sunny every day and the seas are calmer. Really nice to see everyone again after such a long break. Two nights behind on my dinners and only 7 nights onboard. Wish it was a little bit longer.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255031 08/31/21 09:01 PM
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255032 09/01/21 12:05 AM
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255033 09/01/21 04:47 PM
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So many great photos Ken. Thanks for sharing. Brings back such great memories when Tom & I went to the Galapagos islands on a whim with Barbara and Tim years ago. Everyone should go there at least once.


Marcie

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255034 09/01/21 05:58 PM
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255035 09/01/21 08:24 PM
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Ha ha! I spy the mask revolter!! laugh


Cindy
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255036 09/02/21 03:46 AM
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Ngaire Online
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Actually on shore masks are optional though most people do wear them. If we are in a town then of course they must be worn, Required on the ship inside except when eating or drinking.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255042 09/03/21 09:56 PM
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Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: lonestarlady] #255045 09/04/21 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by lonestarlady
Ha ha! I spy the mask revolter!! laugh

You were supposed to wear masks on the zodiacs, but George refused to do so, and somehow got away with it.

Re: Bon Voyage Origin-als [Re: Marc] #255080 09/14/21 09:25 PM
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You might get a chuckle out of this story. Remember that “postal box” on Floreana where travelers could deposit unstamped mail? (This is a wooden box where sailors would leave letters for loved ones at home and other sailors would pick up letters if it was close enough to deliver them on their return home)

For a joke, Dana addressed a card to our dog (Annie). Can you believe a guy brought that card to my house today?? That’s faster service than the real Post Office


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