I’m in the middle of a seven-hour layover in Miami, so here are some more tidbits for you.

At the end of each week the guides host a trivia contest with five categories: Fauna, Flora, Marine Animals, Geology and General.  Twenty questions in total; three multiple choice options.  The answers are timed, so no internet searches!  On the first week I missed three questions and came in second.  Turns out it’s the same trivia on the second week, so I maxed it.  They gave me the prize, even tho it was my second time – I’m kind of embarrassed about that.  The prize is a Silversea balaclava/gaiter.  The Zodiac drivers and guides often wore things like this for sun and sand protection.

As examples, here are the questions I missed the first week:

• What tectonic plate is the Galapagos on?  Answer – Nazca
• What do sea turtles eat?  Answer green algae and sea jellies
• Why is the Palo Santo tree grey?  Lichen

At the end of the week the crew as a whole are presented to the passengers for appreciation.  There we met the “Staff Captain”.  I have not heard that rank used before.  I think he is the senior officer on shift while the ship’s captain is sleeping or otherwise occupied.  Usually I’m used to seeing an “Executive Officer” in that role, but maybe that doesn’t work with a smaller ship on weekly cruise legs.

Many of the hotels I’ve visited have started to have desks with glass tops.  It looks good, but is hell on my optical mouse.  I have to place a piece of paper or something to act as a mouse pad.

For my last dinner in Ecuador, of course I tried the hotel’s Swiss Fondue restaurant!  I have no idea what to think anymore.