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Hey George,

Thank you for the link and the information. First, let me say that you had the opportunity to go to some amazing places. The National Basilica in Quito Ecuador that you show is awesome - honestly, I never knew something like this existed there. Absolutely beautiful. Second, it is clear that you got some great photographs of a huge array of different subjects. You have one of a male bull sleeping on a sand dune that makes me really chuckle.



James,

Ecuador it actually a great country with lots of photographic opportunities. If you just pop down the eastern side of the Andes from Quito you're at the heatwaters of the Amazon. After our Galapagos trip we had a wonderful rain forest trip at Sacha lodge on the Coca river which feeds into the Amazon. If you aren't tired of looking at my travel pics yet, here is a link to that trip

http://www.lamsonfamily.com/Public/Galleries/Sacha%20Lodge/index.htm

If I ever get enough time I'd like to write up that trip for one of your articles.

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You did not look very hindered at all by being limited in the times that you can photograph on your own at all. If anything, the opportunity to photograph such a variety is a huge bonus. Having said that, it is just the idea that you are stuck on the boat that somehow bothers me - though I guess from a logistical perspective that there is no other way to do it. Are there places to stay on the islands if you wished to go and do an island every couple of days?



Yes, I did feel a little hindered by being on the boat but there is no other way to go. I think only 2 of the islands, Santa Cruz and San Critobal, allow visitors to stay and both of them are where the main population of the Galapagos lives. I think all the other islands are restricted and require you to be with a tour. I can't blame the Ecuadoran government. They are really serious about preserving these islands and so you have to toe the line.
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Thanks for sharing the link by the way. It really looks like it was a great trip. LOL, I understand the buffets on the boats by themselves are enough to keep you on the boat. :P Also, would you mind sharing what a trip like this costs?




It was truly one of the best trips a natualist (which I consider myself) can take. And you are right, the food was excellent. As far as cost, this all depends on the travel company you use. I was taking the whole family, so I went to Natural Habitat which I have used before and know they take care of every detail. This TLC comes at a cost and I think we ended up paying about $4K per person for the Galapagos and Sacha lodge. If I was going alone, or with just my wife I think we could do much better with one of the cheaper companies. I know there were people on our Galapagos tour that paid about $500 less for that part of the tour coming through a different agency.

Some of my best
http://www.lamsonweb.com/Galleries/Photography
http://lamson.zenfolio.com/