If you have always wanted to visit to the Galapagos Islands, but they seemed a bit out of reach, then pay attention. With only 300-500 well-crafted words you could win a 5-day/4-night Galapagos Cruise with Metropolitan Touring.
From now until October 28th (the original deadline was extended), 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 winner will receive a trip for two to the Galapagos and will have his/her essay published in the Miami Herald International Edition in Ecuador and online at www.TodayInEcuador.com.
To submit your entry, go to www.GalapagosContest.com. You only need to do three things: 1) create a facebook page; 2) add Metropolitan Touring and Today In Ecuador to your Facebook LIKES; and 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.
The Boat Deck has two master suites with double beds (plus a sofa bed for a child) and a private balcony, and two junior suites with twin beds (plus a sofa bed for a child). Six Superior-class cabins have twin or double beds, which together with the remaining Standard Cabins on the Upper and Main decks offer the same high standard for comfort and style. Family guests have ample choice among single, double and triple accommodations.
The M/V Santa Cruz Sun Deck features a bar and Jacuzzi, along with the observation platform for dolphin and whale watching and The entire ship is air-conditioned. The dining room, lounge and bar are elegantly appointed, as is the well-stocked library/reading room.
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, an expedition to the best National Park, aboard the only ship exclusively built for exploring the Galapagos. As an alternative to snorkeling, the glass-bottom boat offers another opportunity to observe the marine life.
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 following by 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 spots 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.
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 the Santa Cruise has added new flotation aids, for passengers.
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.
So put pen to paper and submit your entry before October 28th for a chance to see one of the great natural wonders of the world.
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Ciudad Santa Cruz, Galapagos