Ecuador 20 May, 2011

I'm in the Galapagos!

The Galapagos are in Ecuador.

Quito is also in Ecuador (pictured above).

I started my Ecudaorian trip in Quito (capital of Ecuador). This is a must, for the Galapagos. All flights must disembark from either Quito or Guayaquil. Quito sounded better than Guayaquil. This was the rational.

Quito is a big city. Its got some nice churches, some cool museums, and pickpocketing/stabbings at night. Therefore, these were the rules I followed while in Quito;

1) stay long enough too visit some churches/museums/stuff

2) do not take candy from strangers

3) most importantly, do not to get hussled, robbed, manhandled, and or shot.

Quito as well as Cusco and Machu Pichhu (my previous destinations), are at 10,000 feet elevation. This makes life very challenging in the following ways;

1) simple tasks such as walking, taking a shower, and living, become difficult

2) one alcoholic drink will get you drunk

3) at random intervals your body will start panting really fast for air (for absolutely no reason)

This is a picture of Quito from the top of a church.

The climb to the top of the church was quite an ordeal.

There were tiny windy stairs, sketchy ladders, various construction operations at varying levels of the church. Too me, it looked and felt as though the church was going to come crashing to the ground.

Luckily that didn't happen and I can now relive my experiences with you. This is because you and me, we're best friends.

Let's now talk about the Galapagos.

Wow, wow, and double wow. This place is unreal. Pictured above, is husband and friend. We have just arrived in the Galapagos.

Ok, I'll try and paint a picture for you.

Imagine this; animals everywhere. Everywhere you step or look or sit, there is an animal.

Not just ordinary animals. Animals that are not afraid of humans.

This is a picture of Pedro Luis. He is one of the sea lions that hang out at the hotel we stayed at. He spent the whole day suntanning on the chair next to me. It was so amazing.

These animals are really friendly and not afraid of humans, but that does not mean you can touch them. They still like to keep their space. Kinda like me.

When we arrived on the Galapagos, we spent our first 2 nights on the island of Santa Cruz.

We stayed at a super swanky hotel. We weren't the only guests though.

Besides the sea lion, there were also a million Galapagos crabs staying at this hotel.

These crabs are pretty stealthy because they can walk on water, move and jump from rock to rock, and climb vertical gradients.

Above, are 2 pictures of the Galapagos marine iguana.

These iguanas are unique, because they have the ability to live and forage in the sea.

Yesterday I went to Tortuga Bay and found zillions of these marine iguanas sunning themselves on the volcanic rock (pictured below).

Later in the day, me, friend, and husband rented a kayak and kayaked out to sea. We jumped off our kayaks and went snorkeling with white tip reef sharks, marine turtles, and sting rays. It was scary and awesome at the same time.

Below, is a picture if a yellow warbler.

There are a million yellow warblers here. Apparently, they are the only yellow birds on the island. Very cute.

I have posted lots of  pictures of cool birds.

I will not explain them all, because you have internet, mine is really slow, and I really really really want to play in the sun.

We are now on an island called Isabela.

On the boat ride here, I took Gravol.  I did not get sick. This was a big relief.

On the boat ride to Isabela, I saw 10 dolphins. I love dolphins.

I have now wriiten everything I can think of.

I am sure that I will come up with some more things to say.

Tomorrow I am going to find some penguins, tortouises, and flamingos.

I will let you know how this goes. Promise.