Finally picked my trip destination!!

[pinknic38]

So I've been going back and forth about what I want to do for myself when I return from Afghanistan sometime between January and April (but most likely April )... I thought about England/Ireland/Scotland, but I wanted to do something differnet, so I know I definately want to see Thailand and Laos but airfare is rather iffy, and then I recently watched a BBC documentary on the Galapagos Islands (hey give me a break, I'm deployed!) and so I was playing around with different trips there and I have kind of found a packaged deal which is probably best since I am unfamiliar with the area (but can speak Spanish)... It's an all-inclusive adventure & spa package (wanted a spa something to treat myself from living in Middle Eastern combat zone for over a year) that's 7 nights. But it isn't like there's something specific each day which I like... the spa stuff is all a-la-carte, and so I just pick from whatever I want when I want, and then the adventure stuff, there are 5 things every day going on and I just pick which I want to do. It's stuff like rafting, exploring the Amazon rainforest, exploring volcanos, kayaking, a zipline in the Andes, etc. So stuff totally up my alley.

I've been emailing the people of the resort (for lack of a better term) and they've been very helpful/flexible with my interests and situation. Best of all, I've organized a 3 night boat ride and stay in the Galapagos after the stay in Quito!

Airfare to Quito is suprisingly 670ish from Ohio, and if I wanted the best room in the house, it's 2000ish for 6 nights, which isn't bad for an all-inclusive), and definately way in my price range, coming back from a deployment.

If anyone else is interested in taking such a trip (the owners are awesome, and you don't have to do the spa and adventure together, you can do one or the other, and tailor it to your needs if you talk to them) check out www.lunaruntun.com and www.lunatravel.com

So yeah, I've got my reservation in for my loose dates by putting in my deposit.... AHHH so excited!

Anyone else ever been to Ecuador/Galapagos?