Author Archives: volovecto

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Posted on April 30, 2023 by volovecto

After nearly 48 hours of travel, we touched down at the Kuala Lumpur airport. This trip was arranged by my sister using Selective Asia, so we didn’t do this one free style on our own. I was relieved to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Malaysia | 4 Comments

Santa Cruz Island and the Kingdom of the Giant Tortoise (day 7)

Posted on November 6, 2022 by volovecto

Our last full day of the cruise was spent mostly on dry land. No Galápagos visit would be complete without seeing the giant tortoises. There are statues and streets in Darwin’s honor around the area. Ecuador is doing a very … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecuador | 2 Comments

North Seymour Island and Santa Fe Island (day 5) & Floreana Island (day 6)

Posted on October 20, 2022 by volovecto

We started the morning by touring North Seymour Island, known for its nesting frigate population. After our frigate bird observations we again donned our wetsuits and snorkeled along the shore of the same island. The water was cool and choppy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecuador | 5 Comments

Sombrero Chino Island, and Santiago Island, James Bay (Day 3) & Genovesa Island, Darwin Bay Beach and Prince Phillip’s Steps (Day 4).

Posted on October 18, 2022 by volovecto

Overnight we had motored to Sombrero Chino Island. It is a tiny cone island off the coast of Santiago Island. This is one of the few places you can see the Galápagos penguin. After breakfast we climbed into the pangas … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Exploring the Galápagos Islands on the Evolution

Posted on October 16, 2022 by volovecto

600 miles west of mainland Ecuador, The Galápagos Islands are home to many species of wildlife that never learned to fear humans. We landed on San Cristobal Island and were met by the crew of the M/V Evolution, operated by … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecuador | 3 Comments

Quito, Ecuador

Posted on October 14, 2022 by volovecto

Here we are in Quito, one of the oldest capital cities in South America and second highest capital city in the world. Quito is at 9,350 feet, while La Paz, Bolivia is at 11,976. It was an easy five hour … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecuador | 4 Comments

Day Trips Out Of Hilo

Posted on March 8, 2022 by volovecto

I prefer to stay on the east side of the big island, due to its slower pace and lack of large resorts.  But I also like to look around.  One day we did a circle drive, starting in Kea’au and … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii | 1 Comment

Hawai’i.  Messing around on the Big Island.

Posted on March 8, 2022 by volovecto

Although the act of traveling is starting to improve, it is still more difficult than it was five years ago, the last time I visited Hawaii.  This trip was put together on fairly short notice, a month or so, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii | 1 Comment

Napa Valley. Open, with reservations.

Posted on October 5, 2021 by volovecto

Our trip to Napa was a planned trip, so we had already made reservations at several vineyards for tastings. September is harvest time, and we expected it to be busy. It was difficult to find a B & B with … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Food and Wine | 1 Comment

Last Day

Posted on July 1, 2021 by volovecto

Our last full day in Finland had us headed back to Helsinki, with one urgent task. We hated to leave the archipelago on such a beautiful day, but we had to get covid tests prior to returning to the US. … Continue reading →

Posted in Finland | 2 Comments