HOME COMFORTS
Justin, my husband, and I flew to the islands’ Baltra Airport from Quito, the capital of Ecuador. From here we took a private transfer for the quick boat ride across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island and then hopped into a car to our final destination, Pikaia Lodge. Set in an extinct volcanic crater, the two-year-old Pikaia beautifully incorporates luxury into its natural highland surroundings. Its spare, clean, designer eco-architecture uses locally sourced materials, while guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of ubiquitous greenery. The most picturesque spot, however, is the infinity pool which looks over the rolling savannah of Galápagos National Park, the Pacific Ocean stretching till the horizon beyond. Most of the hotel staff are from local communities and all of them recounted fascinating first-hand stories about the