Volcanoes

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There are few if any volcanoes in Teddington. In Ecuador, however, they are very popular. Almost as popular as shops selling religious tat and taxis that try to kill you.

The inhabitants of Baños live right underneath a 16,500 footer called Tungurahua that began erupting in 1999. The government evacuated the town and surrounding area, fearing the worst. By January, nothing had happened, so the townsfolk, by now becoming unpopular with the relatives they had been staying with, forced their way past the military blockades and returned to their homes. When they got there most of them found their homes and businesses had been looted. ¿Tough, eh?

Another interesting volcano fact: the Galapagos Islands are composed entirely of them. One island alone (Isabela) has five, and each one is host to a different subspecies of giant tortoise. Another island (Pina) has only one tortoise called Lonesome George. He is the last of his subspecies. Unless they can find a matching female in some zoo elsewhere in the world, that will be the end of the story.

¿Can you help Lonesome George? Please send a photograph of yourself, if necessary disguised as a giant tortoise, c/o The Tortoise Conservation Centre, Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Rep. of Ecuador.

Meanwhile, another interesting Ecuadorian fact: they don´t have lights in their road tunnels. OK, boring perhaps. But consider this: bus drivers here obtain their licences by handing over $1,000 to a corrupt official, no questions asked, and no driving test required. On our way to Puyo recently we went through 6 unlit tunnels, and it was like being on the ghost train - no lights inside the bus either, just headlights flashing past on the left and the bus´s brakes cracking like the whiplash on Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich´s classic XANADU.

We're now in Cuenca, learning Spanish with Cesar and Priscila. (¡Ella es muy bonita, caballeros!)

And finally, here´s one for Mark - in Puyo we ate in a restaurant called El Jardin. ¿Wasn´t he a founder member of the Beach Boys?

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Photos

Cute sealion pup
Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!

Tortoises
Here is a pond full of tortoises. Do you see one you like? They are looking for penpals.

Aboard the MV Cachalote
Ahoy shipmates! This here´s able seaperson B. Jones

Comments

[Joy Wilks]

Lonesome George
I think I'm in love! Does he have a website?

[Gasolina]

Hola!
Yay!At last, we have contact. Interesting that about George the tortoise.In theplace I'm staying in CapeTown, they have a male and female tortoise, and his name is George. Do you think they're related?Or are all male tortoises called George. George is the speediest tortoise on 4 legs! He attacks everyone, and was recently seen hanging off the calf of his owner while she attempted to paint in the garden. I got tired of sitting with my feet on the table, so recently,when George noticed I was in his territory, he went into overdrive and headed my way.I decided this was not on....and stared at him....deathstare like.....and thunk"George! Stop! and turn around!!".....and he stoppedand staredme in the eye for about 10 seconds and turned around andwalked in the opposite direction,where he attacked the female and managed to turn her upside down and push her into the pool....(He's mean and evil thru and thru) Subsequently,I've found the staring telepathic approach works every time...his owner can't believe it! Lorra love, DrDoolittle xxxx

[steve h]

Darwin
You've been there now. So tell us, was Darwin correct in his thinking?