Carol's Travels

After breakfast we got into the pangas and motored to Santa Fe Island. We had a wet landing, so we had to wade to the sandy beach. We walked for about an hour on Santa Fe Island looking at the iguanas, birds, and plants there.

Back on the boat we got fitted for fins and adjusted the snorkels. Then we went to our cabins to pull on our swimming suits and wet suits. We the rode in the pangas close to Santa Fe Island then jumped into the water. I saw schools of gorgeous fish, sea lions, and I even followed a sea turtle and a sting ray. We watched this underwater sea life for about an hour, then swam back to the boat.

Lunch was equivalent to a dinner. We had soup, chicken breasts, rice, plantain, salad, and lemon pound cake with grated carrots in it.

We relaxed for a couple of hours while the boat cruised to South Park Island. Then we had a dry landing from the pangas. We walked around this island. The first iguana we saw was a hybrid iguana. They are rarely seen here, and they are only on this island. The marine iguana males come up on land and mate with land iguana females. The babies are sterile. This island reminded me a lot of Iceland with the black lava rocks touching the ocean.

We had time to relax again, then it was time to meet to find out the schedule for tomorrow. We also met the captain and other crew members as we sipped piña coladas. For dinner we had filet mignon, swordfish, rice, mushrooms, salad, and pineapple pie. After dinner we went up to the top deck to gaze at the stars. I noticed that we could see both the Southern Cross and the Big Dipper at one degree south of the equator.

This morning we got up at 3:30 A.M. and were down in the lobby at 4:15! Rolls, bananas, and hot coffee and tea were there for us to quickly eat before we left on our bus to the airport. Since the airport is so far from the city of Quito, it still took us at least 45 minutes to get there. There was no commute traffic, so that definitely cut down on the driving time.

Delphin took care of checking us in and giving us all of the paperwork we needed. Then we said good-bye to him until we see him again in seven days. We waited at our gate for quite a while, but finally we boarded our plane.

The plane landed in Guayaquil, then went on to Baltros in the Galapagos. After having our bags checked for plants, we finally were on San Juan Island. We met Juan, our guide.

We took a bus ride to a place that has the giant tortoises in the wild. We walked around looking at them and taking pictures. Then we walked through a lava cave. Next we went to the pangas (motorized rafts) and went to the ship, The Tiptop III. Paul and I were assigned to Cabin 3. This is the smallest cabin I have had on a ship. While we were all unpacking, Juan got our wet suits. After trying on two suits, one seemed to fit.

We then went ashore and walked to the Darwin Center. We saw several giant tortoises and some babies too. Then we went to some souvenir shops. I bought a very vanilla ice cream cone. Then we went back to the ship for a forgettable dinner.

I am so sleepy, I have caught myself dozing off.

After breakfast we left the lodge via the motorized canoe which would hold all of us. We enjoyed the ride through the jungle channel then on the river back to Coca.

Delphin took us on a walking tour of the vendors selling fish, other meats, grubs, fruit, herbal remedies, and prepared food. We tasted a few things. Then we rode to the airport on bicycle driven carts. Unfortunately, one of the guys in our group pulled a muscle in the back of his thigh when he started to get on the cart. The driver caused the accident because he wasn’t holding it properly. As the day went on, he was feeling better but he was still in pain. I hope the pain goes away soon.

This afternoon some of us had a seafood lunch. This evening we went to a home hosted dinner provided by a local family. It is always interesting to see how the local people live and what they eat. The hostess cooks oatmeal, pineapple juice, water, and another juice or two. It was served warm. We also had chicken, rice, avocado and cucumber salad, and grated cooked red cabbage. For dessert we had a banana pudding-like cake. When we got back to the hotel, we packed for tomorrow’s flight to the Galapagos.

. Delphin showing us leeche fruit at the market

. Transportation to the airport