TESTIMONIALS

 

Rebecca Dunn and Andrea Kurtz

We are writing to you to let you know that our trip to the Galapagos was fabulous. We were met at our hotel in Guayaquil by a man from Via Natura and they got us and our luggage onto the plane to the Galapagos. We were met by an excellent guide, Susannah, who gave us a wonderful tour the next day in El Junco and the Galapagueria which was a wonderful surprise. We then transferred to the Monserrat and were met by an excellent guide Jaime Dominguez Rodas who took care of our very diverse needs in our large family. He even got a cane for my father who found the rocks hard to navigate. The crew of the Monserrat was fabulous. We saw the most of Roland the waiter and Adrian the Chef. They could not have been nicer or better cooks. They put together a birthday party for Andrea that was wonderful! We couldn't believe the balloons and decorations. THey even let the children help decorate. The sailors who navigated the pongas were fantastic. They took extra care to let us take good pictures and made sure that we didn't have on the flash. It was clear that they were there to protect the islands but also to take care of us. The boat was very smooth riding, the long passages were very easy and were at times when most of us were asleep. The boat was always very clean and very well stocked. The special surprises of hot chocolate and sandwhiches after a long snorkel trip were delightful. Although only a few of us spoke Spanish, we could communicate well. We had such a diverse range of needs from people over 80 to my 7 year old nephew, yet all of our needs were met! I would also like to add that the Hotel Opuntia was also great. The owner welcomed us well and cooked us all dinner which we had outside overlooking the ocean. It was a very nice addition to our trip! My only main request would be to add a ladder for snorkel trips on the pongas. For those of us who are older, it would be much more comfortable. It was extremely difficult for my mother who got a leg cramp in the water trying to get back in. The men were fabulous and incredibly strong on the boats but a ladder would be nice and I have seen them on other boats. Overall, I can't think of a better vacation or how any member of the crew could have done a better job!