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Published: April 27th 2007
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I have just landed in Quito for the second time in my life.
I have just sat through another Ecuadorian Taxi Ride.
I have just deposited one dollar at the reception of Posada Del Maple for my room key.
Now I sit here to tell you about what has been a week of my life.
A week spent in The Galapagos Islands.
A week I will never forget.
It is a two hour flight from Quito airport to touch-down on the runway at Baltra Island in Galapagos. With the stop-over in Guayaquil, and the numerous delays that our flight endured, it took three hours. But as you lean back in your computer seat and sigh, as you contemplate three hours of waiting, consider that I have waited for weeks, knowing that I would soon visit Galapagos, and each moment that followed the one before seemed to draw itself out as if time was destined to stretch, reaching an endless infinity before my plane would be able to land. But then (like chewed chewing gum wrapped around one finger, and clenched between closed teeth at the other end) time eventually was torn as it stretched beyond reason. It was the
Giant Tortoise
Up in the highland on Santa Cruz sound of cool wheels catching up with the hot tar-mak that fused the past anticipation with the present sensation of 'Shit I'm actually here'.
I met my cruise companions in the small tourist filled airport terminal, and we loaded on to an already full bus to meet with our ocean going vessel (boat for the less poetic of you). The driver turned the key counter-clockwise to choke the rumbling bus engine, leaving us along side a turquoise bay with 15 boats of various sizes sitting lazily on the gentle swell. The jetty from which our 'Panga' (fizz boat) collected us had two generously provided bench seats and a roof for shelter from the scaring sun, however (completey oblivious to the fact that they had been provided for tourists) the locals had occupied every spot (including the rooftop). 5 sea-lions, and a few pelicans comprised this local contingent of inconsiderate lay-abouts. So we tip-toed our way between them and onto the Panga boat.
The Flamingo (More of an experience then a boat).
A modest boat, with a modest crew, a friendly old cook, and a rather less then modest guide (Alfonso), whome was quick to inform us how lucky
Colorful
Some Iguanas sport more colour then others, depending on how desperate they are! we had been to get him. He was ofcourse the most qualified guide available with 17 years of experience, and a level 3 license (thats the best! He assured us).
On the boat we were catered for with more then what a bunch of budget Galapagos explorers could ever need, and every moment spent on the boat was an absolute pleasure. Each meal was served as though we were dining in a restaurant, and the cozy-sized cabins were always stocked with fresh bedding... That said, we did have the smallest, least sofisticated boat of all the vessels operating in the Galapagos Islands, but I think the quality of us passengers counted for something.... well
I think I am a prime example of the sort of quality we are talking about!
Altogether we were 5 swiss, 2 germans, a swede, and Me. We spoke german most of the time (I never actually was nderstood, but I feel that I made a contribution to a few conversations, with very convincing frowns, smiles, and the occassional suripticious wink). After 5 days we decided to trade in 2 of the swiss for a couple of Irish and an Ecuadorian, and although the trade
Do I sense.....
Jealousy.
I´m even jealous of people who are still there! seemed favourable I think that we ended up with a similar balance in both conversation, and snorkelling.
As for what we did over this overly hyped 'Week of my life'.
I could continue to describe every moment spent in the Galapagos Islands in detail (exaggerated and humour ridden), but for the sake of your busy schedules, and my waning attention to grammar I shall summarise it a little.
Well....
I Swam with 2m reef sharks (not so scary, but graceful creatures), sting-rays (watched out for a Steve Irwin incident), eagle-rays, golden-rays, turtles (the new ninja turtle film is out now! A turtle told me), iguanas, penguins, sea-lions (wicked awesome humdinger ripsnorter fantabulous), swiss people (very common here in the Galapagos Islands), reef fish (all the colours of a rainbow, and some more), snakes (highly venemous), and a couple of Irish that we picked up along the way (prone to sun-burn).
We came face to face with all these creatures, and blue-footed-boobies (birds, with a name that lend themselves to a few chucklles), finches (heapsa kinds), Albatroses, Bahama Ducks (Also on holiday perhaps), hawks, swallow tail gulls (what does that name actually mean?), other birds with red blow
April
A page from this years swim-suit calender. up necks (Ofcourse I wont remember evry name), flamingos (saw thousands in Uyuni already), Giant Tortoises, and crabs. One of the Giant Tortoises was actually named ´Lonesome George´, because he is the last remaining tortoise of his kind. The fact that he is either infertile, impatent or inclined toward the same sex is a rather unfortunate addition to the challenge of trying to get him to breed with another similar species of Tortoise.
We climbed a volcano, walked on a 150 year old lava-flow, saw heaps of wierd plants and cactus and meandered through mangroves. We at copious quantities of Vienetta one night, saw some of the most beautiful beaches under the sun, and slept out on the top-deck under a star clustered sky.
These are the things that we did that made this truely 'A week of my life', and although I have many stories to tell about my legendary adventures I am afraid I will have to wait until another time to tell them.
Maybe you now need to go away and plan some Adventure of your own, or atleast take a look at yourself sitting on the computer and´remember what every good mother used to
Pelican Fly
Taking off from his wife and small child in mangrove top nest say...
'It is a nice day outside, go out and do something for goodness sake!´
I will let you know how I am next week from The 'Carribean Coast'. Yes the Carribean Coast!
I Love you all (especially you mum 😉),
Ange.
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Tomas
non-member comment
Estoy celoso!
Andres, Has hecho algo que todovia ho he hecho en todos mis viajes a America Latina. Has visitado las islas Galapagos cual es un sueno que tuve para mas que 20 anos. Todo que escribiste es en acuerdo con mi comprehension de las islas, como bella son y como fantastico son los animales alla. Felicidades por que lo has hecho, las memorias van a quedar en tu memoria para siempre. Un abrazo, Tomas