We had an early start. 5.30am pick up so we could be at the front of the line of tour groups waiting to get taxi out to boat.
Our bags were checked to ensure we were not transferring plant material etc to Santa Cruz.
There were a lot of customs/ police about as we waited patiently for our taxi. It took quite a while..but we had a lovely view.
Finally on out taxi boat. We transferred to our bigger boat and departed for a two and a half hour ride to Santa Cruz.
Was a good test for my seasickness patches as we were not far into the journey when we broke down. Gus took over the controls to the captain and deckhand could so some running repairs on the boat. The fuel fumes were a bit overwhelming..\
Thankfully they got the boat running again. We chatted with a UK/NZ couple of women...sharing their adventure stories then all dozed as we picked up speed
Finally arrived at out accommodation via taxi boat.
Angermeyer was the original home of Angermeyer brothers who came to Galapagos before WWII.
We had a look about , some breakfast then set out via water taxi into town.
Tom hanging out with a local..
We had half an hour to look around before meeting back to board a bus to drive to the Highlands.
We enjoy exploring.
This area for fishermen is on the main street along the waterfront.
Love these guys just hanging around..
We visited El Chato Ranch.. where we had a wonderful time seeing the tortoises up close as they roam freely...fantastic.
Oh and had a little fun too..being turtles .Tom declined this activity..
Beautiful
Then did an amazing walk through 3 lava tunnels..spectacular...lovely and cool down there too
Beautiful trees..
We had a delicious lunch
Then drove back to town..
Water taxied back to our accommodation
Our rooms were still not ready so Tom and I had a quick dip in the water out front of the hotel then had cool drinks as it is very hot.
Eventually our rooms were ready. We had Shark room (red roofed building)
Fancy
View from out front
Had a shower and a rest. I would have happily lazed the afternoon away...but next activity was lined up. We met Gus out the front for our kayak adventure at 3.30pm
We had to walk around to the beach area (about 10 min walk) where we picked up our surf skis.
We paddled for about 20 min to reach cliffs and a narrow channel where we spotted Blue footed Boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs, Herons etc and amazing cacti plants.. Beautiful colours..
Sally lightfoot crab
We slowly paddled back and saw this Galapagos brown pelican close to shore.
Tom had a swim at the beach while I walked back for a shower and a rest.
Then we hailed a taxi and set out for town to have a look about and get some dinner.(feeling very clever we are...heading out on our own)
We enjoyed seeing the locals watching a volleyball comp. Apparently it is a popular regular social activity that brings out big crowds..(many placing sizable bets we are told)
Tom and I are rather taken by the stained glass windows in local church...Once again a very unusual design.
Couldn't resist this huge iguana..
Asked this lovely lady if I could take her photo... then we bought some t-shirts from her shop.
A photo for John...
Tom was not keen to try the local seafood eateries in the back streets...but we had a look at the long tables set up along one of the back roads and the googlie eye fish on sale,, (we settled for pasta dinner)
Very festive atmosphere...obviously a popular place for the locals.
Made our way back to the wharf and hailed one of these taxis to take us back to our accommodation
Slept well that night.
I woke early so got up and walked around to the beach ...another beautiful day.
We met for breakie at 6.30am.
We got ourselves organised then travelled by water taxi with Gus to Port Ayora then Bus up into the highlands to a Sugar Cane/Coffee farm. Don Adriano demonstrated (with Thomas ) the old fashioned way of extracting sugar cane juice...they then boil it off to make blocks of sugar to sell. He was a real showman...and despite not speaking English we had a lot of laughs together. He made out that Tom was the donkey!!
Coffee
Then it was my turn ...I had a go at pounding coffee to extract the beans...and unbeknownst to me...Don Adriano was pretending to whip me with his belt!!
Don Adriano was a bit fond of me and keen for photo ..even got a kiss at the end of our visit.
Demonstration of coffee roasting.
Great story teller
What an amazing face
Then we had a look at his Moonshine still.
I declined a taste...Jeb and Gretchen said it was pretty rugged.
More story telling...telling us of the time he was attacked by wild boar and sustained some serious gashes (showed us the scars)
Jeb demonstrates how Don Adriano almost lost his private parts...managed to get his arm out and protect himself...but got a nasty gash and needed to be hospitalised
Love this little gecko
Tom and Don Adriano enjoy a lovely moment
Love the leaf tie!! What a character
We drove about 20mins to a local beach spot for a swim and lunch....very hot
Back to town
And we are dropped off near the Charles Darwin Research Station so we can see Lonesome George.
So so hot as we walk into the National Park headquarters
Tom points out where we are on Santa Cruz
So excited to be here.
We have to wait a long while for the special facility that houses the remains of Lonesome George to open..it is very very hot and Jeb questions the wisdom of our long wait to see a stuffed tortoise...but we are determined..
And after moving into an ante-room where we have to wait to chill down a bit...we are ushered into the space where Lonesome George is visible behind glass. He was the last of the Pinta Island turtles and despite several attempts...were unable to breed from him...hence the lonesome tag
We made our way back to our accommodation after a bit of souvenir shopping.
We had a refreshing swim out front then slowly got ready to meet Gus for our last night together.
We got a taxi across to the Port then a bus trip for about 30 mins to a remote area and the home of Jose and Maria. Jose a local fisherman (originally from Spain) cooked us a magnificent Paella
Maria made us a delicious carrot cake for dessert.
Gus showed us a powerpoint presentation of our trip and we got the photos and videos transferred to our USB to bring home.
We decided it was a good time to give Gus his tip and Tom presented everyone with gold kangaroo badges...all very pleased.
Drive back to port and enjoy the sights and sounds along the way
And we head to get our water taxi
Amazing to watch sharks and sea lions swimming about as we wait.
After early breakie at 5.30am...we say our goodbyes to the lovely accomodation and await our taxi to Port Ayora
On the bus to the top of the island (45 mins)then boat across to Baltra Island(10 mins) then bus (15 mins) to airport to fly back to the mainland
Quarantine workers on the boat with us
Leaving Santa Cruz
Daphne Major caldera..so spectacular
Baltra Airport..We check in our bags then say our goodbyes to Gus..
We have had an amazing together. He awaits his next tour group who will arrive on our outgoing flight.
Tom and I enjoy a last wander through souvenir shops while we wait for our plane.
Finally time to board..we fly out at 9.10am
Slowly heading home...and happy
Spectacular currents in the ocean below
Baltra Island behind us...such a barren island. Was an army base at one time...hence the airport.
Flying into Guayaquil.
We say our goodbyes to lovely Jeb and Gretchen. What a fabulous time we have had with these gorgeous people.
They are catching a bus home to Cuenca.
We are met by our bus driver from the hotel.
It is election day and there is a lot of traffic about
Back to our familiar hotel in Guayaquil...and welcome drinks again!! Non-alcoholic of course.
There is a ban on sale of alcohol around election time in Ecuador.
Tom's last dinner in Ecuador..
Morning view from our room..
We check out and wait for our bus driver to take us to the airport.
Looking forward to going home.
The José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport
Beautiful landscaping and amazing fish ponds.There are little machines where you can buy fish food for a dime. Tom had a lovely time feeding them.
Almost time to check in. Tom was amused when some locals came over to ask us if this was the flight to Santiago.. I love how you can communicate with little shared language
Here we go
What a fantastic adventure we have had. A holiday I will never forget , that's for sure.
Sharing it with Thomas was such a wonderful experience for both of us.
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