Galapagos Islands on yacht Passion 2024: 2 - Getting There

Thursday, July 11, 2024

The first phase that Marilynn looked after was confirming who was coming, and then arranging and coordinating flights. We had decided to stay two nights in Guayaquil to give everyone a chance to get together before boarding the plane to Galapagos. This will be our group of explorers.

• Son Scott Piercy and his daughter Sela flying from Victoria B.C. Canada
• Daughter Michelle Walker from Duncan BC flying from Victoria B.C. Canada
• Grandson Jacob Walker flying from London, England
• Marilynn's brother Rick Bate and his wife Tracy from Campbell River B.C. Canada
• Granddaughters Stephanie Madriz and Mariannie Piercy from Costa Rica
• Friend Lifeng Liu and her son Hongyi from Beijing, China

As I'm sure you can imagine, Marilynn was kept busy with changes from family members and airline flight changes.

Before our last flight from Panama to Guayaquil Marilynn received information that Lifeng, Hongyi, Rick and Tracy were already in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, so no problem with them getting to Guayaquil. Scott and Sela were having a nightmare problem with delayed and canceled flights, which meant that instead of arriving in lots of time they arrived after midnight on the day we were to leave, but in time to get some sleep. Mariannie and Stephanie from Costa Rica arrived in the evening after Marilynn and I, who were lucky ones with on time flights with COPA airlines- It was one hour flight with flat beds from San Jose to Panama, then an hour and a half to Guayaquil where we were first in the hotel and able to arrange for the others. The Gran Hotel Guayaquil was very nice, with helpful staff in getting the other rooms arranged. Marilynn gets full points for making all arrangements.

The one with the worst problems was Jacob. He arrived in Miami from London, and had only an hour to get to his flight to Guayaquil. He was initially refused boarding, but explained the situation to the airline staff and they let him go just in time for his flight, but when he went to board the plane they would not allow his backpack, suitcase and guitar to be with him. By the time he went back to check them it was too late and the plane left without him. He called us in Ecuador to explain the problem as it appeared he would miss the flight to Galapagos. After a lot of effort he found a way to fly to New York La Guardia, then by taxi to JFK where he had 30 minutes before his flight to Guayaquil. Again, he was allowed to board at the last minute. In Guayaquil, he was on time to join the rest of us who were ready to board for the Galapagos Islands. It was a great relief to have everyone together on the same plane for the final flight!

On arrival on the Island of Baltra where the main entry airport for the Galapagos Group is located. We were quickly checked in, had the environmental check done and boarded the a waiting bus. It was a short drive to our home for the next 9 days, the 159 foot yacht Passion. It is a four story streamlined boat. Once aboard the facilities and accommodation exceeded everyone's expectations. We were a happy group.