Greetings, Cruiseboysians! So, I've lived in Arizona since late 2020 and have not really explored much of it. Yes, I've been around Phoenix and visited the Grand Canyon when my sister and her family visited in 2022. I need to spend more time deep-diving around my "new" state. I decided to spend this August in … Continue reading Flagstaff

Portimao is on the southern coast of Portugal, called the Algarve. This whole region is big with tourists in July and August. I signed up for my Portimao tour several months ago, so I did not realize that my current tour directly leaves Portimao and travels to Lagos, 18 miles (30 km) to the east. … Continue reading Portimao

After North Seymour the ship sailed to Sullivan Bay, Santiago during lunch. We were not here to see animals, but volcanoes. I did not even know there were volcanoes in the Galapagos. But there are, so the afternoon hike was to cross some not-too-recent lava flows. This hike is the first to be rated "Challenging". … Continue reading Onboard

This morning we visited North Seymour Island and had another dry landing, but the climb was not nearly as difficult as Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa.  Here’s another picture of the Silver Origin’s rear dock.  The Zodiacs use power to stay pushed against the dock and each passenger is helped aboard.  Then it’s the short … Continue reading North Seymour

Genovesa's Prince Philip’s Steps is a 25 meter high mostly-natural series of “steps” that leads up to a plateau for wildlife.  My guide said it was named for when Price Philip (of the UK) visited back in the 1970s he tripped and busted his lip open on the rocks.  I don’t know about that, but … Continue reading Genovesa Afternoon