Hotel Gardner Puerto Ayora

... is pretty mental. Without information screens, the system appears to me mainly based on pushing and shouting but we made it on the right plane in the end. <br><br>Back in Quito, we went out to dinner at a Bad-Mexican restaurant with the remaining gang members (and the local music television, of course). Andrew ate masses. <br><br>

... 8211; up to 600 pounds in weight &#8211; take their place. Their numbers were badly depleted by 19th century sailors who had a taste for them, but are now recovering. We saw herds (well, almost) of them grazing on the uplands of Santa Cruz. They eerily resemble ET, but with a big shell rather than a shiny finger. They plod slowly up and down the mountain, munching on grass, taking 6 months to go some 10 km. <br> Our fellow passengers were from all ...

We rose at 7am, breakfast and down to the harbour to catch our boat to Sante Fe, whichis where last week we had seen a whale as we were passing on the inter-island launch. Within a few minutes we were on our way, the boat gradually increasing speed to over 20knots as we left the harbor. Our guide gave us a short summary of our trip, Sante Fe snorkeling, then back to Santa Cruz to Garapatoa, where there were flamingos, one we said, just one, we had visited it last ...

Today we had no plans. Our last tour was tomorrow to Santa Fe. We were still toing and froing about whether we should stay longer or not. The desire was to stay but the reality was to go. There was still plenty of South America to see.<br><br>Christie up and left for her jog this morning, came back and we all had breakfast. I am still trying to catch up with the daily journals.<br><br ...

We rose early and got to the inter-island boat at 6-40am. We were on and away just after 7am, after our bags were checked by the local police. There are restrictions on what you can take between islands, mainly transfer of foods because on the islands they are trying to restrict and in some cases eradicate plants, fauna and animals that do not naturally belong here. After your bag is checked it is tagged.<br><br>The two hour trip to Santa Cruz was relatively uneventful unlike our trip ...

... and it was a rude awakening and abrupt welcome back into that culture.<br><br>Now, I'm here in Isabela island, one of the four islands where people live. And since i took the ferry from Santa Cruz to get here, I haven't left it once. <br><br>I'm much better at handwriting in my journal, and so now I will go back and transcribe some of those entries into this electronic version, for your vicarious traveling pleasure! <br>

... avoid it as it tried to swim away from us, which meant swimming right at us. As we followed the sea turtle the sea lions started swimming with us and playing with us. It&#8217;s amazing how close they get. Such clowns, they&#8217;ll come right up to you and then flip upside down and swim for a while before flipping around and doing circles next to you; swimming from one person to the next ...

... everywhere. Sea lions were swimming just off the beach. A Galapagos Hawk sat in the tree we were stood under offering up some amazing photos. Even with a hawk in the tree birds came up to the group as if to see who we were and to let us take more pictures before flying off a short distance. Matt was immediately treated to the wonder and uniqueness of the Galapagos. The whole trip lived up to expectations and Matt saw lots of wildlife and wonderful volcanic scenery ...

... 30 plus countries each and had been around the world FIVE times. We met them for dinner and drinks that night and just talked about nothing but traveling...nice to meet others who have scratched the itch. Yesterday (day 3) - - We took a hike to the Galapagos Nesting place for turtles. HUGE. These things are massive. Actually had the pleasure of watching 2 of them mate as well...haha...wow. In the afternoon we headed out on the boat again. Our guide, Angel ...

... 3 weeks had me wanting to decapitate my fellow traveling companion that day. A shower and a few beers later I was back to my old, easy going, self again. The one night spent in Quito was magical indeed. We were two of maybe five people at the local pizzeria around the corner from our hotel Friday night, when in walks 2 older gentleman probably in their 70´s, dressed in three piece suits and carrying busted acoustic guitars. For the next 2 hours we heard simply amazing ...