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Published: July 23rd 2009
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Hi all, well one of the highlights, of course, Galapagos. I am now after 2 weeks in this enchanting place. 8 days cruise, which was the top, and the rest by myself or a short trip.
So arrived first from Mancora, Peru to Guayaquil, the financial heart of Peru, and was in real shock. The biggest and newest cars i have seen in south america. My image of Ecuador was that of one of the poorest and most simple country in soutrh america. Well, not anymore...and neither the prices...And he city itself aboninable. But weel i had to stay here a couple of days, which were not that bad, especially the Iguana Park was really amuzing and entertaining. The hotel too was a great place with some cultural activities going on. And met at the hotel a real nice Israeli-american guy with whom i could chat and visit places...
So due to a mistake in the booking, i could go to Galapagos 3 days before the cruize, for the same price, so i had a couple of days to explore by myself. The greatest moment here was walking at the beach alone, and suddenly seeing the sea lions there.
I carefully sat down, and remembered i saw the sign that one can swim there. Though i knew the animals were friendly here, its a different story when u r there...so at a given point someone passed by and i asked him, and he said yes, of course u can swim here...well i did, and this was the start of the adventure. It was great how their not afraid, but even play with you...Wouw!
I will now shortly outline the cruize. The boat was a catamaran, with great food, great crue and great program. We've been to 11 islands, snorkeling once or twice a day, making land trips, the rooms and decks were all great. I was one of the only people who didnt suffer from sea sickness (and to think i almost cancelled the visit to the Galapagos because i was afraid of the cruize :-))) THANK YOU, MARCO!!!). The group was first 12 and later 15 persons, which is a nice number, and they were almost all real sweet people. So the day started with breakfast at 7 and 8 we were already gone to an island with a small boat. What i saw you can see
in the pics. I was especially melted with the Blue Foot Boobies, posibly the most beautiful animal i ever saw!! And to see them sometimes in dozens and more is unforgetable. What u cannot see in the pics is my underwater experience, where i snorkeled with great amount of fish, 2penguins, of course played alot with the sea lions, swam with sea turtles as half my size, saw the beautiful Manta Ray (I took some underwater pics, but will develop later....). The only thing which was on the program and we didnt see were the sharks, which are also supposed to b friendly...well, i still havent decided whether i was happy not to have met them....imagine suddenly seeing the hammerhead, i think i would faint :-). A sad thing is that the guid said that in 7 years the Albatros is going to be extinct, this is such a beautiful bird...
Among this u make walk on the different islands, each with a different color, white beach, black beach, red beach, and they are all quite close to eachother.
So in short this was a great succes! The fotos would tell...(though i didnt take the time too really search for
the best...but welll......
After the cruize, i extended my flight back to Quito, not being able to think of the great contrast i will have to cope with, and stayed at one of the islands. From here i took a 2 day tour to Isla Isabela, the biggest one, where the last eruption was in 2005. Was great seeing the devestation there so close after the eruption...We went to the Volcano first one hour by a cute truck, and then an hour of horse riding thru subtropical vegetation...The second day again some snorkeling and now have just returned.
Tomorrow the plain to Quito, where i will stay 2 nights and then leave to criss cross the Ecuadorian Andes and later to the jungle.
Well, i managed to put it all in short, there{s much more to tell ofcourse, but this will happen when we c us...
Love from Galapagos, and start saving money for the trip...u only live once! Uri.
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betty.
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alone?
Uri mottek, Going alone to the jungle?Hope not! Like you on horseback,love the pictures, hate haaien, even as you would have talked to them! This adventure never ends! You happy man! love Betty