After a complete fiasco in the Guayaquil airport we arrived unscathed on the island of Baltra. It sits next to the larger island Santa Cruz, separated by a small channel of water.
Upon arriving, we knew we would be charged the requisite $100 entrance to the Galapagos national park which is not unlike the outrageous fees imposed by Peru to see Macchu Picchu. I see a similar nationalist view and a monopolizing government attitude. Like the Picchu, the only way to get to the islands (economically) is by national airlines.
Anyway, so we arrived and were promptly charged the price but had no means of paying because it was a cash-only deal. Not only did they demand cash, but there were no ATMs to get it. So unless you knew beforehand that you would be charged, your passport got confiscated as collateral. Which is what happened to me.
Then everything came together when we contacted Jorge and Carmen's friend Vinicio.