The Anahi

  Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Friday, December 11, 2015

We woke up today really excited and by 11:15am we were at the harbour. We had been told to be there before 12:00 to meet the dingy which would take us out to the Anahi. The Anahi was a First Class Yacht Catamaran owned by UniGalapagos and we had booked one of the two suites on it. As well as the two suites, there were 6 luxury cabins, a sun deck on the very top, a bar and jacuzzi deck and large dining area and the tv lounge. It was good to know we would be spending the week in style for a change and that we hadn't scrimped on the boat we had chosen. By 11:45 everyone else at the jetty had all been collected and taken to their boats but there was still no sign of anyone for us. We were getting a bit concerned when Hayley and Simon showed up. Loaded up with bags and souvenirs, this young couple from Reading were on their honeymoon and it was a relief to see them and know we were not the only ones waiting for the Anahi. Eventually a dingy turned up and the 4 of us and our luggage were ferried over to The Anahi. Some people were already on board and we all waited in the main lounge area whilst we waited for a few more. By the time everyone turned up there were 15 of us altogether. A lovely family from Oregon USA who were currently living in Boliva; Judah, Dena & their 2 children Naomi & Leah, a great couple from Germany; Peter & Annette (he would make us laugh the whole trip), a young chap from Chile; Francis (like the Pope is how he introduced himself), a family from Prague; Michal, Patricia, Amy & Sophie, plus Simon & Hayley. These were all to prove fantastic ship-mates for the next week. Our Guide introduced himself as Roberto – we were very pleased to see him as the internet was full of raves about him and about how good he was. Everything so far was looking really positive for a really great trip.He went on to explain all the safety features of the boat to put all our minds at rest – and that of Leah who asked what would happen if the engines blew up! We were assigned our rooms and we got a suite on the upper deck and it was fabulous. Bigger than many hotel rooms we had had lately and far more comfortable. We had lots of windows, air conditioning, a great bathroom and huge shower with plenty of hot water. What more could we possibly ask for? As it turned out, just a few sea lions, penguins, boobies, iguanas …. Oh the list goes on Here is our full itinerary Friday A.m. Arrival at Baltra on Galapagos. Transfer to the town of Pto. Ayora and aboard the Yacht. P.m. Visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Saturday A.m. Visit Sierra Negra Volcano (or Tintoreras). P.m. P.m. Wetlands/ Tortoises Breading Center. Sunday A.m Isabela: Visit to Moreno Point. P.m Visit to Elizabeth Bay Monday A.m Isabela: Visit to Tagus Cove. Pm. Isabela: Visit to Urbina Bay Tuesday A.m. Fernandina: Visit Punta Espinoza. P.m. Isabela: Visit Punta Vicente Roca. Wednesday A.m. Santiago: Visit Pto. Egas. P.m. Visit Rabida Island. Thursday A.m. Visit Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat). P.m. Visit Bartolome Island. Friday A.m. Visit Seymour Island and transfer to the airport in Baltra Island [gallery columns="4" ids="12837,12844,12849,12857,12865,12873,12883,12892,12902,12916,12929"]