EC Amazon & Galapagos Day 1
EC Amazon & Galapagos
Day 01 - Wednesday, December 3, 2008 - Flight to Miami, Florida and to Quito, Ecuador
The weather held for us this morning! Instead of the predicted 3 inches of snow, we woke up to a light fog and 21 degree temperature.
A very early alarm got us up at 4 AM. By 5:00 we had finished our last minute baggage check, fed the cats, and we were on our way to Denver International Airport and another great adventure!
We had no problems at Pikes Peak Parking area and a shuttle was right there waiting for us after we parked. Checking our bags and getting our boarding passes was easy as we are no longer on the TSA watch list! Once we had checked in, we rode the DIA train to our gate, C39, and arrived at 6:40 with plenty of time to spare.
We met Don and Marilyn from Bozeman, Montana and talked with them as we waited for the gate agents to call our flight at 7:45. The 8:25 flight was full but uneventful. We flew coach as it was only a 3.5 hour flight to Miami.
After we landed at 2:00 Eastern time, we learned our next gate was a long hike to the Southern Terminal J. There was a lengthy line through Security with many huge signs stating the Miami International Airport was the TSA Airport of the Year in 2008!
There were not many places to eat in this new terminal, but we knew we had plenty of time so we walked back to Terminal H and had a light lunch at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Stand. We strolled back to our gate, J12, only to find that they were just finishing the final call for our LAN flight!
What a surprise to know that our Quito flight had been changed to 4:15 pm instead of 5:30! As we stood in line to board, we met 8 more of our group. Several said they had received e-mails or calls from OAT advising them of the schedule change. We were not so lucky!
The gate crew assured us that we had plenty of time and we found our seats with the rest of our group. The flight was full with many Ecuadorians bringing many packages as carry-ons from their shopping spree in Miami.
The flight crew closed the doors at 4:18 and we were off! The B767 was new, clean, and very comfortable. Our view of Miami Beach and the wall to wall hotels was clear as we flew over the coast line and south over Cuba and on to Ecuador.
We were offered a light dinner by the very friendly LAN crew and while Gennie typed the journal on our new little Acer (mini) netbook, I filled out the immigration and customs forms. Our flight went quickly as it was only another 3 hours and 20 minutes from Miami.
We arrived in Quito at 8:35and went through immigration and had our passports stamped. The luggage area was very congested and small. Unfortunately, there were 8 of our group of 16 people who did not receive their bags. For the first time in all of our travels, I was one of the unfortunate half who was affected!
We met our guide Antonio outside of customs and he promised to arrange for our bags to be delivered tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed! We walked a short distance to meet our driver Galo and the rest of our group that had been patiently waiting for us.
Antonio gave us a brief welcome and told us that the city of Quito is in the midst of the most important Festival of the year. On December 6th they celebrate over 400 years of the founding of the city He also gave us a short orientation and a bottle of water!
We found our room and got settle in. I will borrow a few things until my bags come tomorrow. Live and learn, and as much as we have traveled, we will cross pack from now on…
Accommodations: Reina Isabel Hotel - - - Meal: Flight
If you wish to travel with OAT Click Here.
To receive $50 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062
Comments
Post a Comment!Hello Vic and Gennie....Hope your bag made it!!!! We are off too...Court Date Dec 15th
Safe Haven from the Snow
Flight Map
Departure Flights at DIA
Check-In Miami
LAN Ecuador Boeing 767 to Quito
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