Most people do not go to the Galapagos Islands for the food, yet a ride aboard Metropolitan’s premier ship, built for cruising the islands, could be one of the reasons you might like to visit the Galapagos.
With buffet meals and a great mix of international dishes and local cuisine, guests often come away remembering the food as much as the marine life.
If you would like to give the cuisine aboard the M/V Santa Cruz a try, Metropolitan Touring, together with Today In Ecuador, is offering a unique opportunity.
From now until October 10th Today In Ecuador, part of the Miami Herald International Edition, and Metropolitan Touring, are sponsoring an essay contest: Why I want to go to the Galapagos.
The essay should be 300-500 words, written in English. The winner will receive a trip for two to the Galapagos (a $3,400 savings) and will have his/her essay published in the Ecuador edition of the Miami Herald and online at www.TodayInEcuador.com.
To submit your entry, go to www.GalapagosContest.com. You only need three things:
1. Create a Facebook page if you do not already have one.
2. Add LIKES to your facebook for Metropolitan Touring and Today In Ecuador .
3. Write a great essay, (in English).
The Prize
The contest winner and a guest will receive five days and four nights touring the Galapagos Islands aboard Metropolitan Touring´s flagship boat. Included in the trip are all meals during the cruise, a bilingual naturalist guide, conferences and lectures, visits to the islands mentioned in the itinerary, transportation to / from the airport in Galapagos, and snorkeling equipment. Airline tickets and the park entrance fee are not included.
The Boat
The cruise will be aboard Metropolitan´s flagship, 90-guest M/V Santa Cruz offering a variety of accommodations on three different decks, including master suites, superior-class cabins, and standard cabins.
The M/V Santa Cruz Sun Deck features a bar and Jacuzzi, along with the observation platform for dolphin and whale watching. The entire ship is air-conditioned. The dining room, lounge and bar are elegantly appointed, as is the well-stocked library/reading room.
The M/V Santa Cruz recently added an extra naturalist guide to the crew - an Underwater Naturalist - who will lead guests by the hand during swimming and snorkeling activities, helping them with masks, snorkels and techniques, and they have added new flotation aids, too.
In order for guests to get closer and understand more about the islands' marine world, the ship now has a hydrophone for listening to the calls of dolphins and whales, as well as a ‘splashcam' video camera which will allow Metropolitan to film these creatures in action underwater from the pangas. To record guests' fun in the water, a high-quality staff camera has an underwater housing - and photos of the expeditions are always shown on the last night before disembarking. The Santa Cruz also has a spotting scope for improved observation of wildlife.
Activities & Itinereries
The M/V Santa Cruz is a on a continual two-week journey through the islands, broken up into different itineraries. The contest winner will have the option of enjoying the Eastern or Northern, routes, determined according to your arrival day.
The Eastern route begins when guests arrive on San Cristobol and spend the first day with a tour around the island. The second day is a visit to Santa Fe Island with its beautiful bay followed by a tour of the South Plaza Island.
Day three is spent on Santa Cruz. All passengers will visit the Charles Darwin Station in the morning and then select from different activities in the afternoon including mountain biking, hiking, kayaking or a visit to a local coffee plantation.
The fourth day is a visit to what is perhaps the most spectacular island for observing wildlife: Española.
Guests will fly out of Baltra on the fifth and final day.
The Northern route begins at Baltra, with the option to go snorkeling the first day, shortly after arrival. Day two is spent exploring Buccaneer Cove and Puerto Egas on Santiago Island.
The third day takes you to one of the most picturesque and photographed spot of the Galapagos, Rabida and Bartolome Islands. Genovesa Island will occupy the fourth day and guests fly out of San Cristobol on their fifth and final day.
A carefully planned Santa Cruz Galapagos itinerary includes the Galapagos' main highlights plus a flexible program allowing guests to enjoy several alternatives for their daily activities. In essence, it is an expedition to the best national park aboard the only ship exclusively built for exploring the Galapagos.
So put pen to paper and submit your entry before October 10th for a chance to see one of the great natural wonders of the world.
Ciudad Galapagos