AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 10

Seeing Is Believing
These AAA Members studied the Galapagos so much they thought they knew what to expect. Until they arrived
A CONVERSATION WITH AAA MEMBERS LINDA AND RICHARD MCLEOD

F
10

For years, Linda and Richard McLeod read everything they could get their hands on about the Galapagos Islands. The Columbia, S.C., couple studied the islands’ amazing array of wildlife and natural history. They traced Charles Darwin’s voyages and dreamed of following in the explorer’s footsteps. Finally, in May 2011, they made the journey—and discovered that no amount of research could have prepared them

for seeing the Galapagos with their own eyes. “We had no idea we were going to be so close to so many different species of animals,” says Richard. “It was mating season and birds were showing off all over the place. Iguanas were everywhere; you had to make sure you didn’t step on them.” The McLeods, who are both 67, planned their trip with their AAA Travel Specialist Sam Torres of the Columbia office.

The couple began their adventure with a two-day visit to Ecuador’s delightful capital, Quito. Torres had lined up a guide who met them at the airport and took them to the city’s well-preserved historic center. Next, the couple flew to the Galapagos, where they boarded the mv Galapagos Explorer II for a nine-day sailing that stopped at 10 islands. Onboard, the McLeods settled into a comfortable routine, with a three-hour land excursion in

VISIT YOUR LOCAL AAA OFFICE

CALL 1-800-750-5386

CLICK AAA.COM/TRAVEL

IMAGES: (L TO R) ALAMY, RICHARD MCLEOD


http://www.AAA.COM/TRAVEL

AAA Traveler - April 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AAA Traveler - April 2012

AAA Traveler - April 2012
Contents
Departures
Worldwise
Happy Family
Your Story
History at Every Turn
Summer Adventures
Compass
Ask the Experts
Seafaring and Landroving
Travel for Every Season
Easy, Breezy Mexico
Vacations Unplugged
Trip Notes
Photo Challenge
Navigator
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - AAA Traveler - April 2012
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Cover2
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Contents
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Departures
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Worldwise
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 4
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 5
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 6
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Happy Family
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 8
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 9
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Your Story
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 11
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - History at Every Turn
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 13
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Summer Adventures
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 15
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Compass
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Ask the Experts
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Seafaring and Landroving
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 19
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 20
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Travel for Every Season
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 22
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 23
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 24
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 25
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Easy, Breezy Mexico
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 27
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 28
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Vacations Unplugged
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 30
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - 31
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Trip Notes
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Photo Challenge
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Cover4
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - Navigator
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - NCover2
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - N1
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AAA Traveler - April 2012 - N3
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AAA Traveler - April 2012 - N9
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - N10
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - N11
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - N12
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - NCover3
AAA Traveler - April 2012 - NCover4
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