Arriving in the Galapagos

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Getting There

Flew from Tijuana, Mexico through Mexico City and Quito, Equador. Got into Quito around 6:30 EST and was totally knackered. Grabbed a cab to a guest house, Quinta Natura Hotel** (where I thought I was the only guest), in a tiny town called Checa -- I chose the location because its supposed to be 5km from the airport since I am only staying 1 night but it turns out its 20km by road but i could clearly hear the revving jet engines in the distance from my hotel room. I booked it on booking.com and I'll have to check that listing to find out how I got so misinformed but what do you expect for $25 a night incl breakfast (and it turned out a great dinner). Upon arrival immediately went into sleep mode. Its a great spot surrounded by gardens and Fincas (small farms) fed by irrigation ditches -- really reminds me of Wm's place in the valley on Schulte in Albuquerque. Turns out the area surrounding Quito has untold acres of green house structures along the sides of the dormant volcanos that grow cut flowers for export (long stem roses cost 50 cents a dozen in Quito). I can see the city at a distance of a few kms in the valley below Checa and kinda wondering if it is as nice a place to stay as Checa. On the return leg I am spending 3 nights in the Centro Historico so I will find out what the capital city is like. I flew via LATAM to Baltra Island airport (GPS).

Arrival

Made it to the islands today. Landed at Baltra island airport (GPS) which was built by the US during WWII to service the S. Pacific. The tiny island looks like the Mojave but you take a ferry to Santa Cruz where I am pitched up for a couple days ($20 / night -- Hostel El Paraiso ## -- the manager, Diana, is from Santiago de Cuba) -- its much more lush with a fair amount of farmland. And, then a gov't bus to the bustling town, Puerto Ayora, that reminds me of a Mexican resort. Haven't seen much interesting stuff except some weird birds and strange tiny lizards & saw a sign on the bus route of a tortoise and saw a bunch of big ones on the side of the road. Its very steamy warm on Santa Cruz.

So, the word is you go down to the town dock and negotiate a price for someone to take you to other uninhabited islands. I'll see how that works out. I met a guide today on a bus who chewed me out for doing the Islands without a guide -- I told her i had Lonely Planet -- (guides are included with any tours you purchase). The 4 habited islands have regular ferry service. Diana gave me the name of a friend, Margarita Diaz++ at Lancha Mi Sol, who set me up with all the island connections by speedboat (launches) and other day trips from Santa Cruz (i booked San Bartolome on day #10).

Contacts

• ** for the best 1 night layover at Quito airport -- Quinta Natura Hotel -- contact Katerine or Freddie Azero at [e-mail]
• ## https://www.booking.com/hotel/ec/hostal-el-paraiso-puerto-ayora.tl.html -- $20/night -- why would you stay anywhere else?
• ++ [e-mail] / https://www.facebook.com/lancha.misol

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