The Galapagos Islands' inhospitable nature has saved them for much of their history

In the middle of the ocean (with hardly a drop of fresh water) the islands left visitors unimpressed for centuries

Wilson took this tour ... I lounged on the ship.

There was an attempt to make it thru that crack - I hear it's all in the timing.

Next to the boat you are one, a good guide is the most important factor in your visit

All guides are trained and licensed by the National Park Service

In general, the more expensive the tour, the better the guide

Frigatebirds

... Did you know ...

These bad boys of the Galapagos are notorious for making a living stealing food from other species

The males' distinctive red throat pouch is inflated to attract females

Once they go to the bother of pumping it up with air, they will leave it inflated all day

My shoes match the blue-footed boobie!

Blue-footed Boobie

... Did you know ...

The boobies are the awkward but endearing mascot of the Galapagos

10,000 pair (about 30% of the world's population) nest in the islands

Males & females have the famous neon blue feet

The only way to tell them apart is by the size of the pupil (smaller in males) 

Celebrity Xpedition

... Did you know ...

It's the newest ship allowed into the fabled waters of the Galapagos

Limited to only 92 passengers

Staff of 60

Giant Tortoise

... Did you know ...

Are the largest in the world

They are only found in the Galapagos Islands and in the Seychelle Islands off the coast of Tanzania

Marine Iguanas

... Did you know ...

Anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 marine iguanas inhabit the Galapagos

They feed for about an hour every day, always at low tide

Bright coloring (on the neck and chest) attract females during the dry season

To view the next page of photo's

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 'click' on OLDER POST

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at the bottom of the viewing page

I T A L Y

... Italy ...

THE LAND OF FINE WINES and GREAT PASTA

... and ...

NOT TO MENTION A FEW THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY

The Azamara "QUEST"

Stateroom Aboard The Quest

The Quest, one of Azamara's newly renovated ships, provided a floating five-star hotel for our trip.  She is 593 feet long, 95 feet in beam,and can escort 690 wined-and-dined passengers comfortably into smaller ports unaccessible by larger ships. 

Additional photo's of our suite showing the bedroom can be found in an earlier post.  We loved all the space, the windows, large bathroom with jacuzzi tub and the large patio with table.  Having all this can spoil an individual!

What a wonderful way to cruise around the boot!

Florence - Founded as a Roman Colony in 59 B.C.

A beautiful outdoor cafe in Piazza della Signoria. 

What a spot to have lunch.

Duomo - Santa Maria del Fiore

Fourth largest cathedral in Europe and the tallest building in Florence.

Bronze panels from the Baptistry doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti 1401.

Ponte Vecchio (1345)

Shops spanning the Arno River