1st Chef Luis Federico Sanchez Mendoza was born in Guayaquil and spent much of his life in Galapagos. He is 51yrs old, having his degree from Universidad Metropolitan as Chef de Gastronomia. He has been fine chef for 26 years at a number of restaurants, hotels and with Silversea Cruises on board Explorer prior to joining PASSION. He truly enjoys, sharing his cooking with guests and is always looking to learn new courses, techniques, tastes, textures and cuisines.

The naturalist guide is chosen custom for each clients but two favorites are Carolina del Carmen Larreas Angermeyer & Sofia Darquea De Witt.

Carolina del Carmen Larreas Angermeyer - Carolina is 36yrs old, was born in and is a current resident of the Galapagos islands, residing on Santa Cruz Islands. She has been guiding since 2008. She obtain her BA in Biology from Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador in June of 2007. She has been involved in a wide range of projects with the Charles Darwin Foundation from 2005 through 2007. Growing up in the family she has grown up in, has given her unique knowledge and access to the history and special nature of the Galapagos Archipelago. Her grandparents, Carmen and Fritz Angermeyer were the ones who did the many months of trips back in the 1960's which resulted in the publication of the Sierra Club 3 volumes of beautiful picture books on Galapagos. Her family has always been closely associated with top scientists and conservationists and the Galapagos Islands. She was raised speaking Spanish, English and German and is really an excellent communicator.

Some of her activities have involved publicity, photography of the Royal Stamps of England for the Darwin Year. She was the scientific advisor about the Galapagos Penguins for the filming of the BBC documentary series done in 2008. She assisted in the organization of the 11th workshop of specialist and marine mammals of South America and the 5th Congress of the Latin American Society of Aquatic Mammals. Her guiding is really considered among the best. She has worked with a variety of yachts and with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic. The feedback we have received on Carolina from VIP and family groups has been superb. Her youthful enthusiasm and deep knowledge contribute to her wonderful guiding skills.

Sofia Darquea De Witt - Sofia has extremely extensive and varied background. She is one of the most sought after guides in Galapagos. She has been guiding for 28 years, between her world travels and involvement in a range of other projects. She speaks Spanish, English and French fluently. She has a background in hotel management and tourism activities from a 3 year program she completed in Spain. She was educated in art history in France, is an advanced open water diver and she has participated in her initial course as a Naturalist Guide and four additional courses in Galapagos. She also has taken courses in emergency first response medic. Sofia is passionate about sharing the beauty of the Galapagos Islands and her profound knowledge of the area. She is President, co-founder and a active member of the Galapagos Guide Association. This association was created to support Galapagos conservation and the education of the local community and its members. It also cares greatly to keep the quality of guides high in Galapagos. As she is very sought after, she has worked with many of the top yachts in Galapagos over the years and every group of VIP's which we have had Sofia guide has had rave reviews regarding her knowledge, professionalism and ability to design a trip to the specific interests of the group and all in all graciousness and hospitality. Among many others, she has been Expedition Leader and guide for Lindblad Expeditions & National Geographic.

2nd Chef Javier Ernesto Guzman Banchon. Like the rest of the crew, he is Ecuadorian, born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He is married and 40 years old. He is an excellent chef, has worked in top restaurants in Ecuador and done a great job on PASSION. Chef Banchon enjoys applying the knowledge he has gained through his education and work experience in both the maritime and culinary industry to provide people excellent cuisine on yachts. He attended the Escuela de los Chefs Institute de Arte Culinario for 4 years. He also attended the Universidad Catolica de Santiago de Guayaquil their hotel and tourism dept. Besides his fluency in Spanish, he has gone to the Benedict School of Languages to perfect his English and he also speaks some French.

Crew consists of Captain, 9 Crew and Naturalist Guide
Captain Eduardo Omar Garcia. He, as all the crew on PASSION, is Ecuadorian. He was born in the Galapagos Islands, is 53 yrs old and married. He is a very experienced Captain in the Galapagos Islands and we have had excellent feedback on him from previous charters. Captain Garcia truly enjoys sharing Galapagos and this wonderful island area with his guests on board PASSION. Captain Garcia has worked for the owner for the past 8 years. He has been the Captain on PASSION since the yacht arrived in the Galapagos last year and prior to that on the owners other yacht. Captain Garcia has been Captaining boats in Galapagos since 1990, so he has 41 years of experience in the islands.