It was a very early start this morning, after a rotten night's sleep.

I really wanted to stay in bed but the alarm insisted it was time for a shower. 5am is not a good time for anyone, especially when there is a shower involved as well!

Half way through drying off the phone rang to tell me my driver had arrived. I confirmed that I would be down by 6am - I will not be rushed!

In the car, the driver cleared up yesterday's problems with my missing transfer and gave me back Ayrton's $30 cab fare and tip. Very reasonable of them to recompense me so quickly. I only had to scribble and sign a quick note as proof for my driver. I thought that I would have to get it back from Llama (Yama) Travel. I must say that the Andean Travel Company have provided an excellent service throughout.

Once at the airport I received the boarding card and my luggage was tagged through to Heathrow.  I still have to collect the case in Miami for customs and check it through to Heathrow though.

I said goodbye to my driver at this point.

I went direct to the departure gate where I was sat for a while before they called out my name. It seems that I had been selected for a random security check. I could hear the snap of rubber gloves!!

Down in the bowels of the airport  I had to identify and open my holdall. All the guy did was to slide his hand down each side of the bag, then he said that I could go! The others had their bags emptied, had to have their passports checked and to sign loads of forms. Weird.?

Once boarded  - and don't forget, I'm business class this trip, it was lush all the way. Lots of champers and voddie and coke, decent food too!

I sat next to a lady who is a healer, I always seem to be able to find people like this, why?

The next stage of my journey may not be so good,  - make the most of it Jilly!

Joy of joys, here I am again in Miami airport for the third time this trip!!

But wait ..... where are the throngs of people in Immigration?? I am first in line..... This is unheard of. When I checked my watch I realised that we had beaten the transatlantic rush by about 20 minutes. The place was dead!! What a difference a few minutes make.

I came through unscathed, after the Immigration officer had quizzed me about Galapagos, it seems it was on his bucket list too!!

The bags had just started coming onto the belt and there was mine about tenth in line .... with a priority sticker on it. The joys of Business Class.

Customs was equally painless and I handed over my case at the connecting flights counter. I had to go to the BA check in desk to get my boarding card and on the way over I decided maybe it was time to spend some of my Avios (air miles to you and me) on an upgrade. It had been such an early start to the day - and a rotten night's sleep - I couldn't see me lasting all day at home until bedtime.

So as the check in guy was perusing my passport I asked him if Business Class was full and he assured me it was. 'Damn' said I , 'I had been hoping to upgrade!' He gave me a bit of a weird look and said 'But you're already in Business Class, ma'am'

Really!! I've been upgraded again! Cool!!

I was also given access to the Admirals Lounge, so I could get away from the hoi-poloi and get free voddie!!

I decided to try the Grey Goose as it is so expensive but, being a bit of a pleb, I couldn't tell the difference, so I had to have another one, just to make sure. There was a real spread of food from soup and salads to sandwiches and hot food. Also loads of wine, beers and spirits, oh and fresh fruit, the healthy option.

Also free Wi-Fi so I was able to catch up with the rest of the world and tell the girls that I was safely on my way.

I strolled down to the gate about 45 minutes before departure, stopping off in the duty free. I really don't like this new system of not being able to take your duty frees with you. You have to collect them by the gate.

After a short wait I wandered through priority check in, only to find no duty free bag waiting for me. The man said that, because I was Business Class, I could send out one of the cabin crew to collect it for me, once I was seated.  Oooh, that doesn't happen in Economy does it??

I gave the flight attendant my duty free slip as I boarded the plane and found my seat. An aisle seat which actually is quite OK for a night flight as you can get out to visit the loo without disturbing anyone. My duty free turned up a few minutes later. great service!!

I was then plied with champagne whilst the cattle loaded. This is the life for me!!

After take - off, who cares if it was on time or late, it doesn't matter in Business Class, I chose my meal over a Kir Royale, had a vodka and coke and then settled down to watch a couple of episodes of Mrs Brown's Boys. Hilarious!!

It was stuffed pork tenderloin and a rather nice Chablis for dinner.

Then it was bed to horizontal and off to sleep I go.

I was awoken to the smell of fresh croissants and a bacon roll. We had had a 100mph tail wind and arrived early into Heathrow. Again I was off first and collected my bags, which were prioritised again. I was out so quickly that the taxi hadn't arrived, so I grabbed a Costa and a bottle of water, both of which I regretted half way home!!


So here ends another journey for Captain Slog. This one was my dream destination. 

To be allowed to be in such close proximity to such beautiful wild animals, birds and reptiles was a joy and a privilege. Yes, there were a couple of hiccups along the way but these only served to make me appreciate the essence of Galapagos.

Ecuador itself is a beautiful country, just emerging into becoming a new destination for the package tour crowds. I think when they move in, Ecuador may suffer from the many trampling feet. The Andes are stunningly beautiful, the birdlife is amazing and the people are friendly. 

It is a really cheap destination once you are there, I struggled to spend much money, so I have enough left for my next expedition!

If you want to see Galapagos you should go as soon as you can. There are already rumours that the number of visitors may soon be cut and the entry price to the National Park is shortly going to be doubled.

Take only photographs and leave only footprints .............