MC in the Galapagos

[Sheila]

I'm back from the Galapogas and Ecuador's cloud forest. I was assured GF food in both locations. The ship I was on, the Santa Cruz, did a wonderful job of keeping me GF. Another passenger has celiac and we were told to always sit together and always at the same table. That made it easy for the serving staff. The chef came out a few times as well. I didn't burden them with all of my other food issues and tried to choose wisely from the excellent buffet. All told, I felt very well and know that I will have to rethink GF bread at home and cut way back on my GF cookies. Without either of those things I felt almost normal. I had a glass of wine every night and a little ice cream a few times without any problem.

Traveling by plane was a pain, as usual, and I had no meal between breakfast and dinner. The Galapagos are awesome and the 23 hours to get there was worth it.

The Cloud Forest lodge turned out to be a problem. The cook was an indigenous Ecuadoran woman with no English. I couldn't seem to get through to her with requests for lunch. I brought tuna fish packets and gave them to her. We left the lodge for birding at 5 a.m. and I didn't see what was packed until lunch time. No tuna. I won't bore with details about some of the strange things that turned up in the cooler and on my plate, but I did start feeling sick the night before I left. No D thanks to Imodium and a few extra doses of Entocort.

I learned that I can travel if I'm very careful choosing a very reliable destination. All said, it was a wonderful trip and seeing the cloud forest and 132 new bird species in just 2 full and 2 half days was awesome. All together I added 157 new species. I'm still smiling.

Sheila W

[Lesley]

Oh Sheil!
I would SO love to do it. As usual, I am going to Israel - again!

[Sheila]

Hi Leslie, The people on the Santa Cruz in the Galapagos were so understanding and so diligent, you could take a chance and see this amazing place. They don't emphasize it but some of the walks are over long stretches of volcanic rocks and aren't easy. Other islands are much easier and you could craft an itinerary to suit your physical capabilities. There were a few very strenuous walks that I avoided. At each island you have to get into a zodiac at the boat and then off the zodiac on the island. At times the water was pretty rough and I'm very glad I didn't fall in. There are a few hotels on the islands and they would be a great option for someone who doesn't want to stay on a boat. Go for it, Leslie.

I have an opportunity to go to Israel next year with a group from my church. We will be moving around from place to place and I doubt I will have much control over the food selection. I was initially enthusiastic but after considering what happened in South America, I don't think I'll take the chance. The cook at the mountain lodge knew that gluten is wheat but I doubt she read labels on other food she served or about the other forbidden grains. I know you have had problems with food when you are in Israel. Going without meals doesn't bother me much if I have a jar of almond butter and rice crackers to tide me over. Going without meals repeatedly is not a happy prospect. How did you manage? Is celiac well known to local chefs and restaurants? I am really torn, wanting to go and yet afraid of either getting sick or going without adequate food.

Thanks, Leslie.
Sheila W

[Leah]

Glad you had a great trip!

[JeanIrene]

Welcome home, Sheila. Glad you got to cross the Galapagos off your bucket list! Seems like cruises are the most reliable solution for us MCers if you want to foreign travel. I haven't had any problems traveling in the u.s., but I eat very simple, plain foods in restaurants and am able to go to grocery stores for snacks.

[Blueberry]

Seems exciting and glad you had a good time! I won't be making the trip myself, but most of my family is booked to visit the Galapagos next summer. It is a vacation they have been wanting to make for awhile. The nephews seem quite excited, with from what I've been told, the youngest already partly packed.

[Sheila]

Your nephews won't be disappointed. They will scuba with huge green turtles, rays, Penguins, seals, beautiful fish. They will walk just a few feet from the nest of a baby magnificent frigate bird, sleeping seals, battling male sea lions, enormous Galapagos tortoises. If you love the natural world, it is a unique experience.

Sheila W

[dfpowell]

Sheila,

Wow, your trip sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing your experiences and how you successfully navigated your food situation, it is an inspiration that you were not held back by your diet.

[Blueberry]

Your nephews won't be disappointed. They will scuba with huge green turtles, rays, Penguins, seals, beautiful fish. They will walk just a few feet from the nest of a baby magnificent frigate bird, sleeping seals, battling male sea lions, enormous Galapagos tortoises. If you love the natural world, it is a unique experience.

Sheila W

Oh, that sounds neat and perfect activities for the boys, at least for two of them. For the youngest two nephews, being with wildlife will be an adventure. The middle in particular has taken a great interest in studying and being with animals. I wouldn't be surprised if he grew up to be a veterinarian or worked with animals in some manner.

The oldest will likely be a different story. He is now at that age where exotic girls will be his main interest on the trip - which is good too.

[Joefnh]

Sheila, I'm seriously jealous, what a wonderful trip

The Galápagos Islands are on my bucket list, I can't even imagine how good the photography opportunities are.

It sounds like you planned quite well and from that had a great trip. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Take care

[wmonique2]

Sheila,

Wonderful that you were brave enough to try that! And even better that it went quite well.

You can go to Israel for sure! GF is a craze in Israel. So many people are GF! And they have rice cakes in all the restaurants...people ask for them because they are GF or because they're on a diet.

Love,

Monique