ECUADORMeasure to Reduce Traffic and Pollution in QuitoStarting May 3, 2010, traffic in Quito will be restricted by a system called "pico y placa" (rush hour and license plate), aimed at limiting the number of motor vehicles being driven during rush hour (from 07:00 am to 9:30 am and from 16:00 pm to 19:30 pm) on weekdays.  This new traffic control system will help ease bottlenecks and traffic jams and reduce pollution. It relies on the last digit of each license plate:  on Monday, all those motor vehicles whose license plate ends with 1 or a 2 shall be forbidden to be on the road during rush hour, whereas on Tuesday those vehicles have plates ending with a 3 or a 4, on Wednesday with 5 or 6, and so on.This new measure shall be in force for all private transportation, exception for school buses, tour buses and vans
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Galapagos Islands yacht reviews and comparison

There are about 50+ liveaboard cruise options in the Galapagos Islands. Unless you are a Galapagos specialised travel agent you do not need to study each boat and contact the cruise operator, as a traveler you usually want to know which boat matches your specific needs.

Voyagers travel company is a true Galapagos cruise specialist. They have built a Galapagos boat matrix that allows travelers to compare boats based on their needs. GalapagosIslandsYachts.com

A great time saving tool, when it comes to choosing your Galapagos Islands cruise. Voyagers also offers a best rate guarantee on all boats featured on its sites.
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Baltra airport - Galapagos Islands - Ecuador

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Galapagos airport bus

All visitors to the Galapagos Islands use the same bus service provided by the airlines. The only option are the airline buses even if you travel on the most luxurious boat. The ride is free and lasts aprox. 15 min.
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Galapagos airport bus

Aerogal transfer bus at the Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands
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Itabaca channel - Galapagos Islands Ecuador

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Galapagos Itabaca channel barge for crossing from Santa Cruz to Baltra

The public barge used by all travelers when traveling to and from the airport on Baltra Island. The crossing fee is 0.80 cents USD.
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Galapagos Integrity yacht

Galapagos Integrity yacht
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Galapagos Integrity yacht

The old day trip yacht Delfin was nicely converted into a "luxury yacht", the hull shows its age... Now it is marketed as the Integrity with the slogan "If you have Integrity nothing else matters, if you dont have Integrity nothing else matters" and a price tag over 4000 per week per person
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Galapagos yacht the Flamingo

The flamingo is a tradition in Galapagos cruising, back in the day it was considered a first class yacht. With almost 20 years of cruising you can see it is a bit tired...still a great option for enjoying the wildlife of Galapagos, considered an eco friendly boat, the Flamingo and its sister yachts Eric and Letty are equiped with Solar panels and are Smart Voyager certified.
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Galapagos yacht the Flamingo

The flamingo is a tradition in Galapagos cruising, back in the day it was considered a first class yacht. With almost 20 years of cruising you can see it is a bit tired...still a great option for enjoying the wildlife of Galapagos, considered an eco friendly boat, the Flamingo and its sister yachts Eric and Letty are equiped with Solar panels and are Smart Voyager certified.
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Galapagos Islands recycling campaign in Puerto Ayora

If you walk along the Charles Darwin ave. in Puerto Ayora you will find several recycling containers at several locations. Local government awards citizens and tourism companies with gold and silver medals to whomever has the best recycling practices.
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Galapagos souvenir shop

A souvenir shop in Puerto Ayora.
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Galapagos traveler could not find a Last Minute cruise

Jason Dijgel a traveler from Ohio. Jason and his wife Shannon leave the Galapagos dissapointed, they tried to find a last minute deal, after a week and a half in Puerto Ayora they could not find any open spaces on the boats they pre-selected... They left without taking their dream cruise. Spaces are starting to run out for the better boats in Galapagos. It is recommended to book at least 3 months in advance. You can still find good discounts from several online travel agents and tour operators. Back in 2007 you had to book at least 8 months in advance to find the boat and itinerary you wanted.
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Galapagos online, internet cafe in Puerto Ayora

Just a couple blocks from the docks, close to everything this internet cafe offers high speed internet acces at 1 USD per every 15 minutes. You can also free memory on your camera, they help burn cds with your Galapagos photos
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Galapagos environmental campaign - do not feed the animals

The Galapagos conservatio authorities are teaching local children to respect wildlife. Local populated areas border with the National park reserve and encounters with animals are frequent. Feeding the animals can be harmful as each specimen has its own diet and does not digest our food as well and may become sick or lose the need to find its own food.
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Galapagos Islands transportation - bicycles, the green machine

Most Galapaguenos use bicycles to get around, tourists can rent a bike by the hour or by the day. Puerto Ayora has many attractions nearby. You cannot visit National park sites without a Galapagos guide www.galapagoscruise.com.ec
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Garbage floating in Academy Bay - Puerto Ayora - Galapagos

A depresing scene on earth day. One of the planets most important wildlife sanctuaries feels human impact. A tire and plastic bags... Island hopping travel is taking its toll.
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Galapagos economy yacht Gaby taken out of commission

One of the oldest yachts in the archipelago will no longer offer cruises. This is actually good news, finally it is being replaced after a decade of complaints and bad service. The scariest boat I ever inspected it was like a blender with all the movement.
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Puerto Ayora - Santa Cruz - Galapagos

Academy bay today April 22 - 2010 sun is shining, boats are anchored a peaceful earth day
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Galapagos catamaran cruises

There is a trend for building catamarans in the Galapagos Islands. Over 50% of all new boats for cruising the Galapagos Islands are catamarans. These fine boats seem to be more stable than monohaul yachts according to several boat owners ie. http://www.galapagoscatamarans.com/.

But are catamarans actually much better than a monohaul?

This is a tuff question to answer, here is the opinion of yacht charter expert:
http://www.bayacht.com/mono-cat.htm it seems that both types of boat have there advantages and disadvantages. In the end it seems to come down to personal preferences.

What is a fact for Galapagos Islands cruising is that catamarans are the new trend and the newer boats are catamarans, therefore it seems that the best boats in the Galapagos Islands are catamarans, of course this is due to the fact that they are much newer than most of the boats in the Islands.

Galapagos Voyagers offers a broad selection of catamarans at their Galapagos cruise website:

Galapagos Journey I
Galapagos Journey III
Athala II
Nina catamaran
Nemo catamaran - This is actually a bit diferent, it is a sailing catamaran
Queen of Galapagos
Millenium catamaran

In conclusion, I believe it is your choice, a catamaran seems to be just as comfortable as a monohaul yacht, the real decision comes to boat specs and the itinerary (the most important part of a Galapagos cruise).

Galapagos Mission Blue Voyage

Puerto Ayora is an interesting place, a quiet Island town in the Galapagos archipelago (Ecuador, South America). Galapagueños, locals, are quite fond of festivals and conservation, and they celebrate every effort to take care of their beloved Islands. Actually today is a bit normal... even quiet. It is so weird that local news and people in general do not know about the Mission Blue Voyage ? Yes the Mission Blue Voyage...

Do you know about the Mission Blue Voyage?

Actually do you know about TEDPrize ?

Well if you live in the U.S. and are connected to local media, you are an avid reader of National Geographic or similar then there is a good chand you do. But what about the rest of the world...

Why do us "Americans" try to save the world and do not inform everyone else about it!.. You know, you are up to your good deed and you do not even bother to say: hey I am going to save you by the way!. Of course we would never ask: is it okay if I save you? you see I am going to kick you on the shin so you can avoid running into ongoing traffic... We assume to much and sometimes we do not even listen.

Nothing wrong about the TEDPrize or the Mission Blue Voyage. But it would have been great to let everyone in the Galapagos Islands that the starting point for this important conservations/world saving project is here!!! starting now!!! I say here because I am one of the ignorants that just found out that a "spectacular group" (as mentioned on the projects website) of: "– marine scientists, deep sea explorers, technology innovators, policy makers, business leaders, environmentalists, activists and artists –" will be visiting the Islands for a summit (if you can call it that), they will actually take a cruise on board the National Geographic Endeavor. Check out the bios of who will be on board. Top notch I would say.

Has anyone from the Galapagos been invited?

Of course not! oops! an oversight. Us humble Galapagueños may not know how to interact with these celebrities or everyone forgot to tell us about this event. Even the Galapagos Park authority was not up to date, of course none of the local Galapagos cruise companies either.

Are these lecturers going to be speaking with our Children at a Galapagos school about conservation?

Of course not...

I think the point is made. Please let us know when you are trying to save us!

We might have at least a clue on giving a good idea and participating in such important issues as conservation. I know this is a global initiative and several similar events will be held around the world. Maybe the same mistake (not including the locals) can be corrected. Saving the environment includes all of us.