Just got back from a great tour of the eastern Galapagos with Wildsides Nature Tours. Flew to Quito and spent time there and a day in the Andes, then off to Baltra. Our tour boarded the Yate San Jose, a 34 m boat with eight cabins - really nice. The crew was excellent in providing care food, and meeting our needs. There were nine in our group (for photography and actually seeing and learning about wildlife you want a small group. The group from the larger boats, of which we saw a few, were much more "touristy" - seemed to briefly look around, snap a few pics and were gone). Our group leader was a photographer and so we spent time photographing. The boat was chosen for the itinerary offered and the tour leader (with more than 30 tours to the islands) got us on land before the other boats were even awake. The guide was excellent, as I am sure they all are, very informed and able to give discourse on all aspects of the islands and flora and fauna. It is correct that the guide is with you at all times. You go nowhere by yourself. Trails are well marked and you must stay within the marked areas (they are really adamant about preserving what they have there). Each boat has an itinerary they follow and a time slot for each landing. Some of our landings were dry - no wading required, others wet - with some wading. All were by panga (zodiac) and all were interesting. We got to see and learn about all aspects of the islands visited. We did not go to the western islands as that itinerary required more time.
The garua season is the time to go as temperatures are very nice. Seas were calm to about 4'. Water not uncomfortable. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

I'll give the "debate" to the Gov - 7 to 5, but he was obnoxious and rude. Yeah, and Lehrer was not up to snuff either. The obvious lies and half-truths were left unchallenged. By design?

NOT a bullsnake, definitely a rattler