Ecuador and Galapagos - 2/22/14

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Up at 5:30. Glenda and I met at breakfast at 7:00 in the restaurant. Deb came down around 7:30 and we planned our day. Darcy slept in until 9:30 and met us later as we shopped the Plaza San Francisco. Under the church there is a row of artisinal shops; all proceeds go to support the craftsman. Very interesting and unique items. Deb and Glenda made their day, scoring a multitude of small pieces of art and accessories.
Darcy arrived and we had a lemonade, and coffee. While sitting at the table, a guide from the Galapagos stopped at our table, hawking a photo book that he self-published, full of amazing photos. We bought two copies and he autographed them for us.
Next we found a small store full of local crafts. This one took an hour to get out of.  Then back to the hotel to drop packages. We rested for an hour and then to a restaurant run by an American expat from Louisiana, not finishing until 3:00. We sat outside, but the weather was turning cooler.
Next to the ATM for cash and on to the Tourist Information office, which includes a shop of Ecuadorian crafts. Back to the hotel, where we rested and Deb iced her knee which she had banged up earlier. At 7:00 we walked to the Vista Hermosa restaurant for an outdoor dining experience on the roof of the building. Amazing view of the nighttime city. We were joined by Darcy's friend Natalie Wuernke, who hails from Towson, Maryland.  We went back to the hotel, said our goodbyes to Darcy and Natalie, who were staying the remaining night in the hotel, and caught a taxi for the Quito airport.
Arrived at 10:00 and checked in for the flight.  Flight is one hour late, scheduled for departure at 2:00 AM.

Ecuador and Galapagos - 2/18/14

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Up early as bus left at 7:00 AM for the port of Ayora. Boarded the Narel II with 10 other passengers for the 2-hour voyage to Santa Fe Island. Trip was uneventful, but the sun was hot, hot, hot.  All ended the day with some sun burn, Glenda the worst, and Darcy not at all.
We tethered in a beautiful protected lagoon. Small inflatable took us to a gorgeous beach populated with Galapagos sea lions. They are not afraid of people at all, although the dominant male can be territorial. Then took a nature walk with guide. Saw Galapagos Hawk (endemic) mockingbird, lots of yellow Galapagos lizards.  Spotted a blue footed boobie bird. Huge cactus "trees" with large cactus pads. Known as Opuntia cactus, also known as a yellow prickly pear cactus. Saw frigate birds.
After walk, dinghy back to boat and then snorkelling.  Unfortunately Deb, Glenda and I didn't read the liner notes and forgot our swimming suits. Darcy went into the  lagoon for the snorkeling.  She enjoyed the experience but it was somewhat boring as the guide didn't go so our swimmers were on their own. After snorkeling, we were fed on board, fish, rice, carrots and green beans with a tasty sauce.  Beans were stringy.
After lunch we left at 2:30 and headed back to port, arriving around 3:45. We opted to stay in town, walked around, shopped, made multiple attempts to find an ATM (finally successful) had a beer at a port restaruant, bought some bottles of wine and then a taxi back to the hotel. We sat on the porch of our casita and drank two bottles of wine, then repaired to the restaurant for dinner.  In bed by 9:30.  Darcy was up late, going for a swim in the pool after dark.

Ecuador and Galapagos - 2/17/14

Monday 2-17-2014

Up at 4:40 AM; none slept too well.  Had coffee quickly and one-hour ride to the airport, arriving at 7:00 AM. Stood on line for 40 minutes to register for Galapagos and pay $10/person entry fee. Breezed through check-in. (We had consolidated bags the night before, with Deb and I combining our clothes in the yellow bag, Glenda using Deb's checked bag, and leaving Glenda's huge bag at the hotel for our return.)
After check-in and security (minimal) we stopped at airport cafe for breakfast. Smooth flight to Guyaquil, where we stopped, stayed on plane, and took on a fresh load of passengers.  On to the Galápagos Islands.
Arrived at noon CST.  Entry is a bit of a cock-up - stand in line for slow immigration check in, then hold in place as employee escorts group of four of us to the cashier, where we paid $100 per person, cash only, for the park entrance fee. On to a bus to the ferry from the island of Baltra (airport) to the island of Santa Cruz where the Royal Palm Hotel is located.
Hotel is top of the line - two adjoining casitas. Huge rooms, wonderful shower/jacuzzi and full service available (but, again, no potable water from the tap.)
Left at 3:00 for a tour of the tortoise area, where we saw huge domed tortoises wandering and even mating. Wonderful pictures and great young guide. She then took us to the city of Ayora, where the girls scored some Dramamine, I purchased an eyeglass retainer cord, and Darcy got to smoke a cigarette (the entire park and hotel area is non-smoking, she is having withdrawals.)
Back to hotel for dinner, expensive, and some wine.  Into bed by 9:00. We ordered room service for the next morning as our tour leaves at 7:00.AM.