Ecuador Out!

C'est fini! Like it says in the song: All the money I had is gone...now we are serious. I have spent every thin dime I could lay my hands on...and then some...the decision to go to Galapagos has put me a few $$$ in the hole.

It was a great trip. Met lots of cool backpackers, made a bunch of new Facebook buddies, interacted with a fair share of locals, use many modes of transportation and sports (walk, run, hike, ferry, fly, bus, hitchhike, car, boat, snorkel, zipline, surf, bike, etc). Other than a small element in Quito (I was robbed by a trio in a restaurant. They got my daybag...no big deal, lost about $15 worth of stuff plus the bag, a gunneysack...still embarrassing to get that sloppy after all this time travelling), I found everyone very friendly and honest to a fault. The transportation system worked like a charm (as long as your safety standards weren't too high and you could handle a certain level of confusion). The hostels and hostals worked out very well, the food was cheap and the sites visited were amazing.

I can see why everyone loves to travel for months in South America. I could easily spend another month in Ecuador, visit all new places and have just as great a time. I didn't get to the Amazon side of the Andes...but I will.

A quick review of the trip: NYC to see Emily, friends and relatives. Washington for the Restore Rally (so cool). Quito, Ecuador, a trip to the coast to surf in Canoa, some hiking above 12,000 ft in the indigenous village of Quilitoa, canyoning/biking/hiking in the volcano erupting town of Banos, snorkeling with turtles off the cruise boat in the Galapagos and lots of town to town walking and hitchhiking. I definitely feel like I know the place.

I also seriously need to learn enough working Spanish. I can get about fine, but interactions with locals are seriously limited by my lack of the local language. Next stop in South America will be Chile or Venezuela.



Ecuador 2010

Galapagos

What can I say...you fly all the way to Ecuador, you sort of have to go to the Galapagos. I was quite lucky to land a cheap bed on a little ¿16 people? cruise boat. I had 3 points in my favor, could go in any available opening over a month, only wanted 4 days and was brought to the GAP office by Phil, who works in Torontoçs main office as was down pumping up the sales staff.

So off I go. Each day was some combination of snorkeling, hiking and lectures, plus 3 big meals and snacks after every event. The guide ¿Hansel? and croo were fabulous, very friendly and full of good humor.

Will post some underwater pics once I get them from others. Walking on Floreana was like being in a really big zoo, where they let you behind the fences. Seemed so normal at the time, will take some time to sink in just what I was doing. Iguanas, sea lions, albatrosses, boobies, all manner of birds. Just an amazing time. The snorkeling was the big hit. At least once a day and for a few hours. Swim right up to big sea turtles and chill for a bit, while countless fish of all sizes go to school. All sorts of mantas, and a few reef sharks. The underwater scenery was literally fantastic. What an extremely cool way to spend time. On Santa Cruz ¿Darwin Station? for a few more days, then back to Quito to head more east.