AAVE Trip BLOG » Ecuador & Galapagos
September 14, 2008
Ecuador & Glapagos Summer Adventure
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Before signing Catherine up this year, I spent a lot of time researching teen travel programs and concluded that AAVE would give my daughter the best experience for a trip to the Galapagos. I was not disappointed. I think AAVE is a very well run company and very responsive to both the teens and parents. My daughter had only good things to say about the trip and her trip leaders. She thought the trip leaders were exceptional and both trip leaders went out of their way to address the concerns I had. Before your teen spends a summer with AAVE, it is hard to believe all of the good comments on the trip blogs; after a trip with AAVE I can now understand why so many parents and teens love you guys. The only request that I have is that you make the Africa trip as animal intensive as possible next year. My daughter really enjoyed seeing all of the animals on EG1. Also: please consider assigning Anna and Andy to the Africa trip next summer. -Janet Zucker
Summer in Ecuador
September 9, 2008
Ecuador & Galapagos Teen Summer Program
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Overall, I was very happy with my AAVE trip. I felt like I experienced so much of Ecuador in just three weeks. One of my main concerns regarding my travel to Ecuador was that I couldn’t find enough vegetarian food. My trip leaders always made sure there was food that I could eat at every meal, which I appreciated. I thought that everything about my trip was very well planned out and organized, and I never felt unsafe traveling about the country. Catherine Zucker :).
Celebrating our accomplishments with the Locals
September 5, 2008
Lifetime Summer Camp Experience!
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Kelsey had, in her words, “the time of her life”! Aside from the amazing flora and fauna offered by Ecuador and the Galapagos, Kelsey had an opportunity to learn about, and from, another culture that is so very different from our own. The experience gave her an interesting new perspective on her own ideals and morals. In addition, she learned invaluable lessons in interpersonal relationships and has forged what I am sure will be lifelong friendships. She (and I) could not have been happier with her trip leaders, whom we both trusted and respected. I appreciated the leaders taking the time to introduce themselves to me and chat with me briefly during my conversations with Kelsey. I thought the communication home was sufficient; in fact, I received more calls/emails than I had expected. My theory is that if I’m not getting calls it’s an indication that Kelsey’s having too much fun to stop and call mom (or alternatively, in an area to remote to do so) - there’s plenty of time to hear the details when she returns. I’d rather have her out exploring than searching for a telephone or internet connection. That said, I loved hearing about the trip and was a daily visitor to the trip blog!! -Charlotte Bodell
Ecuador Summer
August 29, 2008
Teen Adventure Summer Ecuador & Galapagos
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It was an amazing experience overall. My trip leaders were AMAZING!! Everyone got along great and the tour guides were awesome!!!!!! -Erica Lighter
A whitewater adventure
August 18, 2008
Awesome Summer Adventure!
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Carter had a wonderful trip. When he got off the plane he said it was “awesome”. He liked every thing they did but the highlight was the Galapagos Islands (especially the snorkeling). -Jennifer Dyson
Amazing Wildlife in Ecuador
August 17, 2008
Ecuador & Galapagos Summer Adventure
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As always this was a great trip- probably even better than last years as the entire group bonded beautifully. What an eye opening experience to see how so much of the world lives. Lizzy came back a more mature young lady. Barbara Mayer
Ecuador Summer
August 11, 2008
EG2 - Update from Ecuador
Posted by AAVE Leader in : Ecuador & Galapagos, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment
Hello back home!
Wow . . . I can´t believe our trip is coming to an end. It all happens so fast . . . its crazy! So we are here in Santa Cruz after an awesome day of snorkeling. Today I felt like I was in a discovery channel episode . . . we saw a blind sea lion chasing around white tip sharks, just messÃn with them, biting their tails and swimming in circles!! It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen! We also saw six giant sea turtles and millions of marine iguanas!
We can’t wait to see everyone, show you our pictures, share our stories and give you all a big hug!
Anna, Andy and the intrepid Ecuadorian explorers
Hanging out with the locals
August 6, 2008
EG2 - From the Galapagos Islands!
Posted by AAVE Leader in : Ecuador & Galapagos, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment
Hey Abbott, friends and family up north!
Here we are in San Cristobal! Soooooo beautiful!! We had a wonderful day of snorkeling with seal, sea lions, sharks, sea turtles and rays! We finished off the day with a bike ride from the highlands into town! It feels so great to finally be in the Galapagos Islands!!
This trip is literally flying by, and we can’t believe we’re nearing the end. We’re enjoying every second, though, and wish you could all be here with us to experience this amazing country which sits on the ecuator!!
Love to you all!
Anna and Andy
Summer Fun
August 5, 2008
Ecuador & Galapagos #2 Photos
Posted by Nate at AAVE in : Ecuador & Galapagos, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment
July 21, 2008
Ecuador - July 18, 2008 - A note home
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Dear Abbott: I just got this email from my daughter Catherine on EG1 and wanted to share her update with you. Please send my sincere thanks to Anna and Andrew for having Catherine send this update. Best, Janet Zucker
Hi Mom and Dad,
I am currently on Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos. Sorry I haven´t called. There hasn´t been a lot of time. I am doing great. You would not believe the things I have done and seen here. Blue footed boobies, galapagos penguins, hammerhead sharks, green sea turtles and green sea turtles nesting, a marine iguana crawled on me for the first time in the guide´s memory, manta ray, six inches from a sea lion, humpback whale mommy and baby, the rarest gull in the world, darwin finches, giant tortoises. This is just naming a few. I have also climbed water falls and have seen a capybara. It is a bad keyboard to type with so I will tell you in detail everything in a few days. Just giving you an update.
Love you. Catherine