September 23, Monday – September 24, Tuesday   Disembark ship • Fly to Quito • Fly to U.S.

Accommodations: Wyndham Quito Airport 

We enjoyed our final breakfast aboard the Archipell II, said goodbye to the crew, and off we went to visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island, to learn about the history of the Galapagos, its volcanic origins, and how ocean currents and climate have affected the islands.

We walked around the quaint town of San Cristobal and then we took the bus to the airport to fly to Quito. Check in was very easy and we landed in Quito about 5:30 pm. We were given a day room at the Wyndham Hotel so that we could freshen up and repack our suitcases for the flights home. We enjoyed a farewell dinner buffet at the hotel and then it was time to bid adios to our guide and fellow travelers.

Pablo could not stay to be with Allan, me and another traveler, to help us get to the airport since once again, Ecuador instituted a curfew starting at 10 pm and the streets had to be vacated since the electricity would be going off. People traveling to the airports were exempt from the curfew fortunately, but Pablo needed to make his way to his home before the 10 pm curfew.

A shuttle from the hotel arrived to take us to the airport and check in was a breeze. Since we had to be at the airport three hours before our flight, we spent the time relaxing in the Star Alliance lounge and boarded our plane at 12 am.

We flew to Houston, went through customs and immigration very efficiently and then boarded our next flight to Newark.

From the Amazon, Machu Picchu and everything we experienced in Peru, to cruising around the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, what a wonderful and an amazing adventure it was!! We learned so much, experienced so much, tasted so many different foods, and met wonderful people. It was a fabulous trip!!!

But as always, it’s nice to be back home.

See you next time!

A sea lion hopped onto our zodiac to say goodbye to us. (Just glad he didn’t hop in when we were in it!!!)

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