A total of 26 travellers from the UK, US, Switzerland, Germany, Ukraine, Singapore, and India (among others) – a healthy mix of fund managers, private investors, and entrepreneurs. Some brought their partners along. On both boats, the male/female ratio was roughly 50/50, with participants in their mid-30s to early 60s.

The concept of spending a week with likeminded people instead of random tourists yet again paid off: one subset of the groups will now actually go on a trip together to Antarctica – speak of lasting friendships being formed!

Over seven days, we experienced the best that Galapagos has to offer. Each of the two itineraries had participants see some of the Crown Jewels of the Galapagos. Sailing on a 4 ½ star boat (following the "appropriate luxury" concept), we toured the spectacular Western half of the archipelago.

On the trips, we snorkelled with Galapagos penguins, watched blue-footed boobies, and swam with sea lions. With equipment for snorkelling, kayaking and other activities onboard, there was no shortage of things to do.

Having the right guide is the make-or-break factor for any Galapagos trip. As always with these trips, I handpicked one of the best guides (out of 800 Galapagos naturalist guides), and passengers subsequently agreed that this made the trip even more special.