|
|
 |
THE RED MANGROVE ADVENTURE INN HISTORY
Polo Navarro became a naturalist guide of the Galapagos Islands in 1977. He has lived on the island of Santa Cruz for the last 25 years, 17 of which he has spent in ocean-going tourism. Down the years, he has owned three yachts.
In 1981 came the first, “Nixi”, a beautiful 36-footer, built entirely of the finest local wood by one of the first German colonists to the island, Fritz Angermeyer. The yacht worked successfully for many years as a charter, after which she was used for private use. In 1993, the “Nixi II” arrived, a magnificent Jeaneu Selection 37-foot yacht, which operated for two years before being sold so that she could compete in international regattas. In 1994, Polo acquired the “Privilegio”, a 45-foot French catamaran. Polo crossed the Atlantic in her, and the crossing provided enough adventure to form the basis of a book. Suffice to say Polo and “Privilegio” were caught up in a violent hurricane in the Azores …and survived. The catamaran still operates in the Galapagos, but under different ownership. At the end of 1995, Polo once again took over the operation of the “Nixi”, but under the name “Azul”. Polo has since decided to safeguard her beauty and tenacity by making her into a land-based small museum.
With his feet on dry land, Polo built and designed The Red Mangrove Adventure Inn as his personal home in 1993. The land on which it was built is considered one of the most privileged in Puerto Ayora. It occupies a tranquil and picturesque part of the bay, amid four different species of mangrove. As a home, it was designed using autochthonous materials, achieving a wonderful harmony with its natural surroundings. Its interior design and decor are as intriguing as they are unique, creating a sense of artistic and creative fusion which every visitor remembers with pleasure.
The Red Mangrove Inn was born in 1995, with the slogan ‘The Other Galapagos'. Around the world, very few people knew of the possibilities for land-based tours of the archipelago. Everyone assumed you had to take a yacht tour. The Red Mangrove Inn set out to change this perception with its focus on Puerto Ayora, the island of Santa Cruz , and other nearby islands.
Puerto Ayora today enjoys an ever-growing number of tourists who come to stay on the island, which benefits the local community in a number of ways. The Other Galapagos created the possibility for visitors to benefit from comfort comparable to that of a first-class yacht, while enjoying various activities and the ability to visit and lean about seldom-visited parts of the islands.
In 1983, contrary to the advice of many locals, Polo bought a farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz island. Being a highly-respected naturalist guide with many years experience, he was aware of the enormous value of the land -- it harboured many of the Santa Cruz sub-species of giant tortoise, Geochelone Elephantus. To protect the farm was to conserve the habitat of this endangered species. Incredibly, 20 years later, one can still regularly observe 50 magnificent specimens of the species in their natural environment at the farm. Here in this wildlife haven, Polo has created a camping operation. Here, visitors experience these wonderful creatures up-close and personal, while enjoying the peace, tranquillity and natural beauty of the unique location.
Over the years, the hotel has received a constant flow of visitors. They have all left satisfied with their discovery of The Other Galapagos. As a result, we have been recommended worldwide by our guests, and the word has spread. Today, the Red Mangrove Inn is regarded as the best and most comfortable hotel in the archipelago. We have welcomed guests from every walk of life, from political, artistic and cultural movers-and-shakers, to the A-list likes of Richard Dreyfus, Robert de Niro, Olivia Newton John, and Danny Glover among others. |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
