Puerto Lopez.....relaxing times
Trip Start
Jun 12, 2008
1
5
28
Trip End
Nov 20, 2008
Puerto Lopez,
Ecuador
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Puerto Lopez is a lovely little fishing town and is set is a nice bay with calm water and chipped blue fishing boats bobbing on the water. We stayed at the Sol Inn, which didnīt look like much from the outside but was an oasis of loveliness inside. The books had warned us that it was hard to leave Puerto Lopez and they werenīt wrong, we ended staying for 5 nights! Apart from one action packed day, which Iīll tell you about in a second, we spent the time relaxing. This was our summer holiday, even though itīs winter on the coast. Although the weather can be grey, we have had some nice days and itīs nice and warm. We spent our time reading, wandering about the town and playing pool, cards and Rummikub (which Dom continually beat me at!) We also went to the beach and swam in the sea, the temperature was just perfect
Blue Footed Booby
. And of course we sampled some of the cocktails and restaurants that Puerto Lopez has to offer!Our second full day we took at trip to Isla de la Plata and did some whale watching on the way. Humpback whales come to Ecuador in July and August to breed and the chances of seeing whales was high. We set off with our fingers crossed that we would see a whale, we needīt have worried because we saw loads of whales. They are absolutely amazing and it was a privilege to be able to see them so close up. They are huge, about 20 ft long some one them but are beautiful and majestic in the way that they move through the water. The highlight though was definitely when one of the whales jumped out of the water. It was only then that you could really appreciate the size and power of these things. Dom has a video of one moment when they got close to the boat. If he puts it his blog and you turn the sound up you will be able to hear me gasp as if Iīm a kid on Christmas Day who wakes up to realised that yes, Santa has come!!!!!
After 2 hours of brilliant whale watching we arrived at Isla de la Plata. The island is commonly known as the "Poor Manīs Galapagos" because you can see some of the same wildlife. Since our budget definitely doesnīt stretch to the Galapagos this was the next best thing
Who needs the Galapagos?!
. We went on a 3 hour hike all round the island and saw the famous "Blue Footed Booby" Their feet really are bright blue! The feet also seem too big for their body (I assume for swimming) so when they walk they really are rather amusing! They donīt care about humans at all so we were able to get really close for some good pictures. We also saw the red chested Fragate, another bizarre bird. Their neck/chest is red (surprise) and looks like the same texture as a balloon, it expands like a balloon and they make make a really weird throaty burpy noise. Very strange. We could also see whales jumping out at see which was very exciting! We went back to the boat and had some lunch, while we were there turtles came up to the boat and started eating our leftover watermelon! After lunch we went snorkeling, that was really amazing. We got to swim over white coral and see all the beautiful fish beneath us. A great experience! All to quickly we had to stop and make the journey back to Puerto Lopez before dark, seeing a few more whales along the way.
Our last night we went back to our favourite Italian restaurant. I know, I know Iīm in Ecuador I shouldnīt be having Italian but there is only so much prawns and rice I can take before craving some carbonara!!
