Galápagos, Ecuador

We call the islands home, but there are still many "new to us" places left to explore. For our honeymoon, we're going to check a b...more

Greetings!

Dear friends and family,

 

Fabian and I celebrated our three-month wedding anniversary on April 12. Since announcing our marriage in January, many of our family members and friends all over the world have asked how they can send us wedding gifts. Initially, we were telling people to wait until they can come visit us. We now realize that for many people that won’t be possible anytime soon, and for others, it’s just not possible at all. Also, the cost of sending a tangible gift to Ecuador is prohibitively expensive due to international shipping costs and high import taxes. So with that in mind, we decided to crowdfund our honeymoon!

 

Due to the pandemic and complications of traveling outside of the islands at the moment, we have decided to keep our adventures closer to home. Fortunately, we live in one of the most unique places in the world for exploring and experiencing nature, the Galápagos Islands!

 

While we have both had a chance (me in 2019, Fabian over the past 25 years) to visit many wonderful places in the Galápagos, there are still many more neither of us has ever been. That is why we have decided to go on a very unique cruise on the Samba Yacht. It's the only boat that visits Marchena Island, and the only cruise that operates this particular route, which goes to a total of 12 places we have never visited before!

 

We have included more details about the boat and the itinerary in our Honeyfund wish list. We've divided the cruise into daily activities and categories of expenses so you can easily choose for what exactly you'd like to contribute to our dream honeymoon.

 

Thanks so much in advance for your love and support, and for helping us make our dream a reality. We can't wait to share our honeymoon (well, the photos anyway) with you!

Contact Us

Contact Alethea via e-mail.

Our Registry

8 day / 7 night cruise on the Samba Yacht

General Cruise Fund: July 6-13, 2021

The Samba Yacht is a true European Dutch classic, optimized and refined to sail the Galapagos Islands. It is locally owned and operated. The Samba holds 14 passengers and 6 crew members.

$100.00

3 remaining


Accommodations on board

We're booked in the honeymoon "suite" -- it's the only guest cabin on the top deck and also the only one that doesn't have bunk beds!

$100.00

5 remaining


Dining on board

We'll be eating 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners on board the Samba.

$50.00

18 remaining


Beverages on board

Nonalcoholic drinks are included, but we'd like to toast our marriage with a glass of wine, beer or a cocktail. We'll also celebrate Alethea's birthday and our six month anniversary on July 12!

$25.00

3 remaining


July 6 afternoon (Mosquera Islet)

Transfer to the Samba Yacht in the bay at Baltra. After lunch onboard, we head to the beach to swim/snorkel with sea lions, and observe Sally Lightfoot crabs and shore birds.

Gift Fulfilled!


July 7 morning (Genovesa Island)

After a wet landing at Darwin Bay, we follow a trail to see red-footed boobies and great frigate birds trying to attract a female. Also, Darwin’s Finches and native flora like mangroves and cactus.

$100.00

1 remaining


July 7 afternoon (Genovesa Island)

After lunch, we visit Prince Philip´s Steps (El Barranco), where a steep climb leads to a Palo Santo forest and to observe species like Nazca boobies. We'll also have a panoramic view of the island.

$100.00

1 remaining


July 8 morning (Marchena Island)

We start the day snorkeling at Punta Mejia where there are many different fish, and we may see rays, reef sharks and sea turtles. We can also go sea kayaking or go on a dinghy ride.

Gift Fulfilled!


July 8 afternoon (Marchena Island)

In the afternoon, the yacht will navigate to Playa Negra, where we may spot bottlenose dolphins, other cetaceans and various species of fish. We can also snorkel here.

$100.00

1 remaining


July 9 morning (Isabela Island)

We visit Point Albemarle which was a radar station for the US to prevent any Japanese attempt to destroy the Panama Canal. Now abandoned, it is inhabited by flightless cormorants & marine iguanas.

$100.00

1 remaining


July 9 afternoon (Isabela Island)

We go to Punta Vicente Roca, to see a diversity of geological formations, such as tuff cones and lava dikes. We can see Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, and will have time to snorkel.

$100.00

1 remaining


July 10 morning (Fernandina Island)

The day begins when we disembark at Espinosa Point, a site rich in wildlife, such as sea lions, penguins, crabs, herons and more, living in the native mangrove forest.

$100.00

1 remaining


July 10 afternoon (Isabela Island)

Navigate to Urbina Bay, one of the recent examples of geological uplift in the Galapagos, where tortoises nest seasonally, and we can see Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and brown pelicans.

$100.00

1 remaining


July 11 morning (Isabela Island)

Early in the morning we visit Elizabeth Bay, the only place where old tropical mangrove forest grows, and penguins inhabit them.

Gift Fulfilled!


July 11 afternoon (Isabela Island)

We visit Moreno Point on the north coast of Isabela, between volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Walk a trail of solidified lava to a coastal lagoon where we will see several species of birds.

$100.00

1 remaining


July 12 morning (Floreana Island) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALETHEA!!!

We land at Puerto Velasco Ibarra and bus up to the highlands. We climb Cerro Alieri where we'll see lichens & epiphytes. Then to Asilo de la Paz to learn the fascinating story of the first settlers.

Gift Fulfilled!


July 12 afternoon (Floreana Island) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALETHEA!!!

We visit Loberia (a sea lion rookery) with time to swim or snorkel. We'll also celebrate Alethea's birthday on the beach.

Gift Fulfilled!


July 13 morning (Santa Cruz Island)

Land at Puerto Ayora and visit the Twin Craters (Los Gemelos) in the highlands, two collapsed craters that are home to various species of birds. Say goodbye to our cruisemates as they fly home today.

$100.00

1 remaining


Santa Cruz

Lancha (interisland ferry)

To travel from our home island, San Cristobal, to Santa Cruz/Baltra where the cruise starts and ends, we have to take an interisland ferry both ways.

$30.00

4 remaining


Hotel

We will travel to Santa Cruz one day before the cruise starts and we will stay one night after as well.

$50.00

2 remaining


Meals

For the days before and after the cruise, we'll be eating 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners, hopefully including some fresh lobster.

$20.00

3 remaining


Gift Any Amount

Enter the amount you'd like to give


Guest Book

Updates

Updated 3 years ago

One birthday down, one to go!

We celebrated Fabian's 47th birthday on June 12 with a lovely party on a farm in the highlands of San Cristobal Island. That means we're less than one month away from my birthday (on July 12) and only a few weeks from departure on our honeymoon cruise.

Remember, we are going to take unique photos throughout the trip to thank every gift-giver individually. We won't have an internet connection or cell service for the entire week-long cruise, so it's better, if you are planning to contribute, to do so prior to July 5. That way we have a chance to download the gift list before we depart, so we have the info we need to make our special thank you cards.

Finally, a huge thanks to all of you who have contributed to our Honeyfund so far. Every gift means so much to us!!!

We look forward to sharing our Galapagos adventures with you very soon.

With much love,
Alethea & Fabian

Posted by Alethea & Fabian

June 18 at 1:18pm

First Last (Not First? Sign Out)

  • 0 items selected:
  • $0.00
Close

Galápagos, Ecuador

We call the islands home, but there are still many "new to us" places left to explore. For our honeymoon, we're going to check a bunch of those off our list!