Hi Jill:  I'm sorry to be missing you on this trip - thought you were on the Galapagos I.  Oh well, a wave in Balta will have to do.  

Hi everyone!  It sounds like you are all on the first week. You are going to have a blast!  Great timing to get away from what the stock market is doing, and focus on nature and feed our "souls" :-).

I think Kathleen is leaving today or tomorrow to get prepared for those on the Machu Picchu end. I had some last minute questions about clothing. Less is more!  Really - no need to dress up unless you are on our Machu Picchu portion, and that is just for the first night's dinner in Lima, and only to wear the best of your casual clothes :-). One person recommended a pair of water sandals that can get wet, and a dry pair of tennis shoes. Perfect!  I am also bringing a light pair of flip flops when walking around the ship.  But don't worry about getting dressed up - this is an active, adventure trip, and we don't mind if we see you in the same pants everyday! I just suggest you bring 2 pairs, and wash one every night so they are dried by the next morning. And zip off pants that can be shorts as well are best.

Travel safely everyone, and be sure to say hello to us as the 2nd group will see the first Galapagos group briefly as we land in Baltra and disembark the plane as we go into the terminal the morning you depart Baltra to go to Quito! So don't forget to wave!

 See you soon and safe travels!

Jill

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We are not getting shots either, they are not required. Helga is taking some stuff to protect her from bugs, since they always like her a lot. (I seem to be imune!)

We are getting in full "get ready" mode, making lists of things to get, piling clothes to potential take and weed down later. Other folks who took this trip say to take as little as possible, we are trying.

Olivia never posted any extenders, so we are just staying a couple of days after in Quito to get a taste of it, but we arrive on the 15th.

Looking forward to a fantastic vacation, millions of pictures!

We aren't getting shots, but I travel to South America a few times a year (and have never had problems).  I find the key is just be very careful about staying away from the water in some places (for example, I routinely drink the water in Brazil, but NEVER in Venezuela).  I will be very careful where we are going.  We often go on the Olivia cruises for a quick get away, but we LOVE the more exotic trips.  Last November we went to India with Olivia.  We try to go on a couple a year.  I doubt you will be disappointed.  

Hi Rose, Carolyn, Helga, Connie and everyone on our trip,

My partner (Debbie) and I (Alice) will be arriving late on Monday, Nov. 10th in Lima to pick up on the Macchu Picchu pre-trip.   We can't wait for Macchu Picchu!  I have wanted to go there as long as I've known about it (despite the all the traveling on train and plane to get there and then to Equador for the Galapagos).... and Deb has always dreamed of the Galapagos so this is a perfect trip for both of us.    I know there are several other couples on our connecting flight from Miami-Lima so we'll look out for you.

 And Rose and Carolyn, you'll be there before us so maybe we'll see you at breakfast on Tuesday morning?  You'll already have the lay of the land in Lima by then, won't you?

We're starting to pack and this week we're belatedy getting immunized--I think only for hepititis, but who knows...gotta go on the CDC website.  Anyone else gotten shots?  Finally got a new camera yesterday--now we have to figure out how to use it!  Anyway, the excitement (and a tiny bit of panic about getting everything ready and organized) are building!

We're in Chicago--any other travellers from our wonderful city?  (Actually Oak Park, but that's close)

We've only been on one Olivia cruise before--the Caribbean about 3 years ago which was fun. 

Well, hope to keep this going with the introductions and such...look forward to meeting everyone....

Alice & Deb

 

 

 

Hi RMS

My partner (Helga) and myself (Connie) will arrive on Saturday afternoon. We will be staying in Quito for 2 days after the cruise to sight see a little bit or just rest.

There has been no posting for any prior/post extender, which is unusual since we are less than a month away.

We live in Southern California, Pasadena. This will be our 6th Olivia cruise and we are looking forward to it as it will be quite different than all others. I am hoping to take 1000s of pictures.

We are starting to plan on what to take based on the recommendations from the mailing. It is getting very close...

Hello, everyone who will be on our adventure that is only a month away.  With the melt-down of the US economy, won't it be good to focus on turtles and blue footed boobies?  Why don't we introduce ourselves and check in on plans?  My partner (Carolyn) and I (Rose) will be arriving a few days early to Lima to get over any jet lag and to acquaint ourselves with the city.  We'd welcome the opportunity to meet anyone who will be in Lima before the kick off.  Perhaps we could do some site-seeing together or have a drink.    We will be doing the Lima/Inca extender and then joining up for our Galapagos adventure.  We are flying back to the U.S. directly after the cruise.

We have done a number of Olivia trips; most recently an April HAL cruise and a memorable trip to India last November, so know this will be an phenomenal journey.  We'd love to share stories and introduce ourselves.  So step up and lets start a thread.

Rose