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Published: October 16th 2007
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Haven´t been able to upload my photos as yet but will keep trying!!
Carrying on from the last entry . . . .Nik and I went to meet our boat on the pier of Puerto Ayora at 11AM. Sat there for ages then someone came along on a panga and told us to get on and he would take us to our boat. Once we were on the boat we were told we were on the wrong boat and dhould be on Estelle del mar 1 not 2. Moved boats and then met five people who had been on the boat for 4 nights already (2 english couples Evonne & John, Hemel & Arty and canadian Mary). They were all lovely and chatty.
As it was siesta time we could do what we liked as we waited for the rest of the passengers to arrive. The boat was luxury especially compared to what we were expecting. Just wait until you see the photos, Nik and I were loving it.
The rest of the passengers were a couple, croatian Andre and ecuadorian veronica and ozzies, doug and Sandra and english Jackie and Matt and luxumberg, danielle and german petra.
Our guide was called ruley - spoke very good english and a nice guy.
In the afternoon we had lunch on board (which I couldnt eat due to sea sickness - Alfredo our waiter gave me a sea sickness tablet) nik didnt eat either. We then walked through the highlands of Puerto Ayora and saw gigantic wild tortoises again. This was really nice. Then made our way back to the boat.
Andre and Veronica decided they couldnt handle the cruise so disembarked which was unlucky for them but more room for us so no one complained.
Dinner was tricky. Forgot to say, we had waiter service and 3 course meals mostly 3 times a day. The portions were huge so you can imagine the waste that nik and I left throughout the whole cruise.
Had an early night because we were warned that the boat would be moving at 2am to get to the next island. As we were lower deck as soon as the boat started at 2am I could not sleep, it was so loud. I hated Nik because she slept the whole way through, was so jealous.
Breakfast was at 7.30
then we went to Dragons Hill and did a trek. Was so cool, saw loads of yellow iguanas which were hard to see at first because they are so camoflaged. Lush views as well.
Got back and we could go for a swim around the boat. Loads of us jumped off the top of the boat which was bloody high. I jumped first then went and jumped again but that time I slipped and fell in side ways. Everyone said it looked painful and they were god damn right - it winded me and I still have the huge bruises on my thighs to prove it, he he.
Then we had our massive lunch on board. I was fine on the boat that day. Later we went snorkeling and saw beautiful fish, penguins and to top it off Nik and I saw white tipped sharks and followed one which was over a metre in size for ages. Loved it!! How many people can say they snorkled with sharks??
Then we went to Isla Bartalome in the afternoon. Climbed up the volcanoe and got to the top just in time for the sunset - amazing!!
Got back on board and had din dins then watched a film with ruley the guide. Most of the crew were not very happy tonight because whilst we were climbing Bartalome, they were on board watching Venezuela vs Ecuador and Ecuador lost (world cup qualifiers - oops)Another early night though.
Last full day was lush as well. Started in Isla Santa fe and walked all round. The Island is full of Sea Lions and they are gorgeous. Could get really close, got some beautiful photoss. There were also loads of green Iguanas which also had good camoflage. On the way back we saw a Sea Lion which had just given birth to a baby which was adorable but then we saw a hawk sat next to them eating the placenta - nice.
Once we got back on board we got the chance to go snorkelling again. This time we saw fish, sting rays and swam alongside sea lions. So cool!!
After this we sailed over to Isla San Cristobal, this was a really choppy ride and I felt so ill. Tried eating lunch but couldnt it was calamari (I then puked) Nik wasnt doing too well either. Once we arrived we went to a museum which explained the history of the islands. Theres so much to learn but its all really interesting so will probably read more when I get home.
As it was our last night the crew dressed up for a change all in their whites (apart from Alfredo, who always made an effort to look smart). They gave us cocktails. Dinner was massive but lovely again. Felt well enough to have some wine for once. Really nice night to finish off.
The final day we had to disembark at 6.30am to go to Black Turtle Cove. Very peaceful, saw sharks, lots of birds, turtles and sting rays. Then returned to the boat for breakfast and sailed to Baltra for us to all disembark and get our flight back to Quayaquil.
This experience was amazing, think Nik and I both loved the sea lions most but would definitely come back again. Was really worth the money and we could have easily stayed longer.
Loved it!!!
Landed in quayaquil, went straight to the bus station and booked a 24 hour bus journey to Lima in Peru. That was yesterday and we leave today at 6pm (12midnight for you in England).
Got lots to do in Peru so will update you soon.
Love you all lots x x
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