Grand Hotel Lobo del Mar Galapagos Islands

Having met Judith, a conservation volunteer from Geneve, Switzerland, yesterday as we were both on the wrong bus into town from the ferry port, we made friends and have stayed in contact. <br>NB: Basically the airport is on a small island from which you get a free bus to the ferry and pay 50c for the ferry ride (except they thought I was with a tour so I didnt pay!). From the ferry its a 45 min bus journey to the main town of Puerto Ayora. Judith and I along ...

Arrived in the Galapagos this morning. WOW!!!!!!<br><br>Im staying 8 days, four of which Ill be on a tour and 4 exploring by myself. So today I arrived with no money and no hostel. I had a nightmare getting cash but I won{t biore you with the details - suffice to say, in the end I got it.<br><br>I{ve just been roaming around Puerta Ayora ...

... and tortillas, the only item on Comedor`s Comida Rica`s menu. Nobody to border me or A guide explaining Darwin`s theories on Natural Selection in bad english and hoarse pronounced spanish, just me surrounded by the inspiration of Mister Darwin`s insights in Natural Selection really came about.<br><br>I sit down on the black lava bed admiring the mraine iguanas basking in the sun, lightfooted crabs with big red shears run after smaller females, the ...

... tour agency who avoided all blame and definately would not refund my money.<br><br>However I had to put a smile on my face and make the most of what was in store...scenery, wildlife and an insight into the locals lives<br><br>Day 1<br>Arrived into St Cruz, caught a boat over to Isabela island. This is the largest of the islands and is made up of 5 volcanos. My guide picked me up and took me for a drive to see some Flamingos and a lovely beach. Unfortunately this being an ...

... the island, just a "cooperativa" and a Western Union. <br><br>There is no good source of drinking water. The water that comes out of the tap is not drinkable or even good for teeth brushing. Usually I can get adjusted to a place and build my immune system up to be able to at least teeth brush, but even the people here dont use it for that, its that bad. E.coli will get anyone, local or gringa. So everyone has to buy water in 5L plastic bottles (for which there is no recycling) or in ...

I booked my Galapagos trip last minute in Quito and I had visions of meeting a 30-something crowd, people who could share their South American travel stories (and guide my way), perhaps a couple of hotties to peep upon - and hopefully not too many couples. So imagine my surprise when upon identifying my group &#8211; the exact people I was about to spend eight days and seven nights with - I saw a bunch of sixty year olds (or there abouts), and one separate young couple ...

We rose to a stunning breakfast made by me, I had got up earlier than the others in order to make it, and then turfed them out of bed. We had to be at the harbor by 6-45am for our 2 hour crossing to Isabella Island. As we pulled out of the harbor we met some big swells, a good 3 or 4 metres is height. We endured this for a full 2 hours, the boat going at a speed in excess of 20 knots with its twin 250HP engines. The combination of speed and swells meant that the boat was like a ...

... they&#8217;re having the time of their lives! <br><br>When we got back we changed quickly for our next adventure, mountain biking to the Wall of Tears. A quick lunch in a local place and we headed for our bikes. On the way we stopped to see a flamingo standing solo in the lagoon... <br><br> The bike ride was challenging with all of us pedaling as hard as we could in various races. Apparently ...

... saw Land and Sea Iguanas, Darwin Finches, Pelicans, Frigate birds, Penguins, Herons, Crabs, Blue footed Boobies, Red footed Boobies(Matts favorite just for the comedy value of their name), Red billed tropic birds, Galapagos short eared owl and Giant land tortoise to name just a few. Matt also got to snorkel where he saw lots of beautiful fish, sharks, lobsters, rays, sea snakes, penguins and best of all a green turtle. So Matt didn't miss out on the turtles after all ...

... Ecuadorian music in the tiny pizza parlor. A few tunes deep an older woman joined the pair and displayed a fantastic set of pipes. Jon and I were mesmerized by the passion in which the trio played their music. A simple bite to eat turned into such an unforgettable moment. The next morning we fly to the Galapagos Islands. The nearest town is a 2.5 hour nauseous water taxi ride from the airport. Once we got checked in, we decide to hit our deserted 5km long beach for Cuba ...