Ecuador Galapagos #7

Every day is an adventure ... No matter where you are.  This tour is full of adventures for sure.  The bonus is we gained an hour flying west to the Galápagos Islands. And the fact we had to get up at 2 a.m. Galapagos time to catch our plane, we had lots of extra time to discover!  Well, that is one way to put it...

We are here! We are snugged into our boat and ready to sail.  It took 2 plane rides, a bus ride, a ferry and a dinghy to get us here. Thanks to OAT and their guides, we are made it! The first order of business after getting on ship was to load up on Dramamine .... Walking around even in your cabin, it like a demonstration of a drunk sailor....  The movement is so noticeable that you cannot leave a door open, it will bang and maybe eventually slam shut. I know several people that this degree of motion would be quite challenging,,,

Now with 3 trips to shore and back, we have this transfer on and off the dinghy down. With the 3-4' swells, it is not easy. The crew is very good helping us. 

Had no idea that there are people living on 4 of these islands. Like 30,000 people. Who knew! Less than 10% of the land is privately owned. The rest is the protected reserve. The airport is on its own island. Ironically through WWII, this area was a US military base. Footings and foundations of the buildings can still be seen. 

Here are some of our discoveries of the day -- visiting a private preserve for the giant tortoises and the Charles Darwin national research and park. 

Giant tortoise 

Cheers to the female tortoise speeding away...

Lava tube tunnels. 

Mooching Pelicans and sea lions. 

Our cabin. Really quite spacious ... ALL the hand rails are in use. 

Tomorrow we begin visiting the islands located on the east and south of Santa Clara. Hiking and snorkeling!!

Be sure to read on. Cheers!

Ecuador Galapagos #6

Can we say, who wants to hang around Quito, let's see more of Ecuador.  No doubt you have had this thought... 😆

Optional tour day of our 2nd 2 night stints of 4 in Quito, the prevailing decision was, let's do the tour. Ecuador has a very interesting history. Founded by the Spainards in the 1500's and has had quite the history ever since. The population is comprised of 22 tribes and 24 provinces. There are 54 active volcanos that are occasionally making their presence known. The topography is very obvious that it was created by centuries of volcanic activity.  The road system is, for the most part very good. Some of the most expensive highways in the world. At least that is the country's president's claim of success is...

The tour today took us to quite a number of "discoveries". You OAT travelers know exactly what that means. ;D.  Every stop included shopping opportunities... Like that is a surprise...  We wound our way through the Andes mountains to Otavalo and Chilcapamba. Stopped at overlooks, chatted with a weaver, a musical instrument maker, watched how they harvest quinoa, make shoes out of grave plant fibers and a home hosted lunch! Whew, so much fun and shopping opportunities at every turn. The lunch included a freshly roasted cui. Two people were squabbling over who would get the brains and eyeballs ... You can bet the farm, one of them was NOT me.... 

Explored a huge market place of home made treasures. Stuff no one really needs but is fun to bring something home to remind you of this adventure. 

Enjoy some visuals:

One of the major industries and exports from Ecuador is flowers. Mostly roses. Here is a mural to the purple rose in the town square. 

Well it was a quick dinner for a very short night... 3 a.m. Wake up call for a 7 a.m. flight. We are going to the Galapagos!!  The bad news is will be off line until the 17th, be sure to note your calendar and check back next Tuesday for a weeks worth of adventure!!

Cheers!

Ecuador Galapagos #5

Almost sad to leave this unique resort. It has been a really cool experience. Lots of discoveries. But something can be said to be looking forward to getting out of our sweat drenched clothes we have been wearing for three days, having electricity, not taking a cold shower at night in hopes of cooling enough down to be able to sleep, finally washing one's hair, truly cold beer, creating blog entries.... Oh the list goes on and on.  Of course the absolute most important, getting wifi to talk to Brenda. 😍

I was convinced we were going to swamp the boat a number of times on our way back to Coca but happily we made safely. Had time to explore this village, it's markets, and lunch. 

Enjoy some of today's adventure in pictures....

Our first line of defense to not have unwelcome creatures crawling on you...

Although, I was just about to get in the shower when the call came from Janet to help rid a creature out of the middle of our room. It had to be the size of your palm... No idea what type of insect it was, was not going to ask...

This insect is much more polite...

Quail eggs. Oh boy...

Sharing coconut water. Brenda, you missed out!

One would expect to be chasing photo shots of birds, plants, animals,... Now have a new category.... Insects. 😆. Will be interesting as to what the Galápagos Islands will provide...

Tonight, a home hosted dinner.  Rumor is that there might be cui (Guinea pig) may be on the menu. Oh boy again....  

Tomorrow we do the optional tour -- Chilcapamba!  Stay tuned to find out all about it!  

Ecuador Galapagos #4

Our last full day in the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight. 🎶. 

The general consensus of our night boat ride last night was one of total awe. To give you somewhat of an idea..  Our lodge is located about a mile or so up a little river that flows into the Napo River. The Napo river is humongous. It ranks 8th in size of all the rivers that eventually flow into the Amazon River. This one dwarfs the Mississippi. Cannot imagine the size of the other 7. Anyway, this little River is your highway to the Yarina lodge. We all loaded up into the long boat to go about half way out to the Napo River, disembark, walk a short way to a what they call a lake (not sure if it would qualify as such in Minnesota standards). Then maneuver down an dock and into small canoes...In the pitch dark...With all sorts of creepy crawly stuff all around.... But it was really really cool!  Fireflies dotted the shore, birds calling all around, and absolute tranquility. 

Good thing for such a memerable experience, cause it stormed "cats and dogs" all night and past noon through today. Needless to say, our guide was scrambling to entertain us. Palm weaving, cocoa bean shelling and watching the staff struggle to right an over turned boat.  The River rose close to 5'-6' due to all the rain. That entertained us for a good portion of the morning. The overturned boat was easily 30 yards long, narrow and had 2 40hp motors attached. Amazing how they were able to not loose it and all the contents. Sorry no pics ... Due to the pouring rain did not have camera. 

The rain finally subsided and we did get back to lake in the daylight and our last jungle hike back to her lodge.  

Birds birds and more birds.  The pics are not the best due to the back lighting or lack of lighting. Enjoy!

There HAS to be a multiple of zillions of ants in these here parts ... Some will eat you ...EEEK 

The little shreds of leaves below are being carried by ants ... Cleverly named leaf cutter ants. 

Learning so much about this amazing part of the world. With any luck, will retain some of this new knowledge... :D

Tomorrow we say adios to Yarina. Boat back to Coca, plane back to Quito, and bus to our hotel ...

So much more to come !,

Ecuador Galapagos #2

Rise and shine and back to the airport we go for a 45 minute flight over the Andes to Coca. The plane was squeaky brand new, not so for our next 2 modes of transportation ... See pics below. When one of our travel mates joked this was our bus, it was quite amusing that really was! 

The best part... Was a warm but much appreciated Pilsner opportunity while we prepared for the next leg in our journey to Yarina Lodge. 

Now we really feel like we are on the equator and the Amazon basin ... 90+ degrees and 2x's that in humidity. Electricity is in short supply 6-10 p.m. only. These clothes are bound to be quite ripe by Sunday...

To our entertainment, tribes of squirrel monkeys bound from tree to tree wondering what we were up to. So cute...  Not only are the mosquitos, ants and snakes are out to get you, add to the list tarantulas and more...

Our new mantra... Be the hunter, not the hunted...

More adventure tomorrow.  Keep reading!

Ecuador Galapagos #3

Today was one chok full of discoveries (for those of you who have experienced an OAT tour, you know what I mean...)  the Amazon truly is like no other place in the world. We have been taught numerous names of birds, trees, plants, animals, insects, spiders, and much more ... Now remembering any of this is another story... 

It seems a bit cooler today. More than likely that feeling is totally born out of imagination or that we are acclimating to this intensely humid climate. Cold showers never felt so good! The affect lasts for about the length of time to get dressed, but al least get one layer of sweat off just in time to replace it with more. Cheers!

Today's discoveries ... Coca plantation, school visit, and home hosted lunch. Andrew Zimmer host of bazaar foods, I am not. Our meal was cooked over a wood fired while wrapped in banana leaves. Amazon catfish, assorted fruits, and skewers of big fat grubs. Yes, grubs. Amazon bacon.. Supposedly tastes like bacon. Not happening for this author... Janet did eat one, she can have mine. 

Siesta is always 1:00-4:00, seriously too hot to do anything. Then every day a nature hike at 4 before dinner. Today's hike, our guide opened a pod of lemon ants in a tree branch and people ate them... Again passed on this discovery. ;)

The most excellent discovery to date ! A night time canoe ride around a lake ( us MInnesotans would maybe call it a pond...) it was amazingly cool! Fireflies dotted the banks, various species of frogs regaled us with their night songs, and lots of other activity. Who had any idea what the source was, it was pitch dark. :)

Here are some visuals of the day...

Tiger heron

Yes, this a big fat juicy grubs. Yum...

A thorny spider

Tomorrow, we hike some more...

Ecuador Galapagos 1st entry

Quito Quito Quito !  Never heard of this charming colonial city and South America's oldest capital until a few months ago, now today walking its streets that date back to the 1500's. We explored the area that is the first UNESCO world heritage cite. Founded in December 6, 1534. Very interesting. 

But first! Our group had the distinct privilege to witness a performance by the Sinamune Diasabled Children's orchestra and dancers. They were quite adorable. It was fun to see some of the native dress and dances. 

Then off to San Francisco square, Independence Plaza and La Basilica Church. It took the Jesuits about 100 years to build the church.  We have visited a vast number of Catholic Churches, this one was hands down way over the top in terms of ornate everything every where. All of it gold, yup, gold. Incredible.  Managed to sneak a couple of pics below. Just like signs that say, bikers do not enter, no photos was only a suggestion.... 😆

Enjoy some scenes of this interguing part of the world...

Hanging out at the hardware store...

  

Cozy set up.... 😝

Tomorrow we depart for 3 nights into the Amazon ... No wifi, surprised? So, please check back in a few days to read about some tales of this portion of our adventure !!

Cheers!