I took four flights to finally land in San Cristobal, Galapagos. The only one I didn’t almost miss was the 30 minute connection (that I was almost positive I would miss) between San Salvador and Guayaquil.

If you don’t already know (and love) me, to read this journal you will have to come to terms with my particular shade of blonde. Which is simply what I name my incessant excuses for remaining delightfully (if not annoyingly) ignorant of otherwise common sense information. Basic information like: even though you go through security in SFO and arrive in LA you will then still actually have to leave the terminal, go outside and find the international terminal, and…yes…go through security again. Seems very obvious when you say it out loud, but for someone who is attached to the ‘once you’re in, then you’re in’ idea, the 200+ yard run in the beautiful southern California sunshine (bus was temporarily out of order), and the painfully long and slow line at security was more of a, “really?!?” rather than a “duh.” which it would be for most.  With all my adventures I still arrived at my gate as we were boarding.  Worked out quite well actually, except for the slick wet sweat dripping down my back and coating my face, and having to forfeit my newly purchased bottle of water at security.

My San Salvador and Guayaquil connection was quite simple…exit plane, walk 50 feet, board plane.  *grin*

I decided to get a hotel for the 7 hours I was in Guayaquil, but even so, if you are traveling here, I would recommend giving yourself PLENTY of time to go through the lines at this airport. I watched many a teary-eyed, frustrated, yelling, flipping papers and cash, angry and disheartened  traveller making the olympic qualifying sprint to their gate only to find the plane in the air.

Instead, I had the great good fortune to have amazing friends who travel to the Galapagos every year with their fishing company Northeast Angling, give me very good direction (that I will pass on):

(Side Note:  My friends from NE Angling pair up with Sportfish Galapagos with Pete Santini and his crew on the Vertigo 2 while they are in the Galapagos. AMAZING fishermen, boat, and experience if you are ever in the neighborhood!!!)

1. Check with your specific airline for luggage weight limits. Although mine was not checked, I was told that others paid steep fines for over-weight luggage and carry-ons. I only brought a carry-on with a weight limit of 8kg-17.6lbs, and I had my computer and other essentials in my ‘personal item’ bag which is also allowed as a carry-on.

2. Guayaquil airport–

Deplane and go through customs go up the escalator. Then take your ticket and passport to the YELLOW sign for your $10 tourist pass (there was a very long line), from there immediately to the right there is a WHITE sign where they check your luggage (I believe it’s the agriculture inspection, they didn’t require me to go in this line because I had only a carry-on). Then you can go get your boarding passes and find you gate on the right.

3. Just a note, when you arrive in San Cristobal, the $100 national park entry fee is cash only.

After I stepped out of the small cement building doubling as the local airport, I was met by Marco who took me to my hotel (check with your hotel about a pick-up option, if not, a taxi ride is $2)

I arrived…and the adventure begins!