Proper Galapagos Trip report part 1 of several

[Jules]

Thursday was travel day and all our dive kit and luggage was ferried across to the jetty at Baltra where we had embarked 10 days previously.

We had seen so muich wild life both above and below the water line and the only thing that the twitchers were short of was a opportunity to see blue footed boobies (featured on most Galapagos t shirts)

So just as though planned there were a few of them sitting on the rocks as we arrived.



So they got YDed!



We sat for a long time at Baltra airport waiting for our flight to Guyaquil (where Gary and Kathy were leaving us) and onto Quito.

And then there were 14…

The rest of us arrive back at our hotel in Quito later that day feeling like it had been a lot more than 10 days since we had left it, so much had happened.

That evening we went out for another relaxing meal (Ribs) and beers this time since Quito was no longer dry.

On Friday and Saturday I had booked trips with a local tour operator to Cotapaxi national park and Otavalo Market. A number of the group had elected to join me so on Friday morning a group of us were again up early and waiting for a bus…

The scenary on the way to the national park was lovely and on arrival we set out on foot to do a short acclimatisation walk looking at the flora and fauna.





This was followed by a short bus trip to walk higher up the side of the volcano.

Altitude is a funny thing and to be honest I didn’t react well to it. After about the half the required distance I felt decided unwell and had tunnel vision. The terrain was challenging, like soft sandy beach but at an angle and all the while the altitude means you can’t get a decent breath. I wasn’t the only one wishing for stage of 80%! Actually 32% would have been fine too!


Pic shows Jenny , john , 2X another, Jane

After feeling decidedly odd I decided not to continue so Good effort to everyone who made it further than I did! Including John, who is a little more senior than myself! Whilst we were on the volcano there was some thunder and a brief shower of snow and hail.

A few people wer more than a little tired after their volcano bashing and needed a wee snooze on the way home


Note Ken who got the prize for most original sleeping pose.

Whilst we had been out Fiona had departed and was on her way to machu pichu.

On Saturday we visited Otavalo Market which is the largest craft market in south MAerica, according to the guide books. It was very colourful and lots of great things to buy if you didn’t already have waaaay too much stuff.





The otavalo people are very petite. When we were queuing for the ladies loo I noticed that I was the tallest one there!!!

On the way back we stopped at the leather town (Can’t recall the name now.. I am sure someone will tell me) and the stuff was amazing quality and really cheap. I only had room for two handbags but could have shopped a lot more!



On the Sunday the remaining group flew home via Bonaire where we left Jason, john, Jane and Ken. Who were going for some easy diving on the way home. We then flew onto Amsterdam, snatching a little snooze on the way. Jenny had the misfortune to be sat next to the two smelliest men in the world and managed to negotiate a seat swap.

I left the others at 6am to get my flight to Manchester.

On return to my home country the Customs and excise dogs seemed very interested in my dive bag (which had been packed and festering for over three days). After a short chap with the customs man he decided to believe me and not investigate it any further.

My best mate met me at the airport and asked me if I had a good trip. I couldn’t even start to say...

The End

[Narked@50]

A big thanks to Jules for keeping a diary and doing the trip report.

Also a thanks to both Jules and Fiona for organising trips on the trip.

And finaly than you to both Kath and Gary for arranging the whole thing, it had a few bumps beyond their control, but overall an excellent trip of a lifetime.

James

[Bunn G cord]

Thanks so much for a great report - I can't wait to get out there next month.

Assuming I make it that is!! Things aren't going to plan - bit like your pre-trip panic in some respects that was set out in a different thread. Today I learn that American Airlines have changed their schedule and cancelled our flight to Guayaquil from Miami. Don't know what made me check things with AA but Ebookers hadn't bothered telling me and trying to get any sense out of their Indian call centre is beyond a joke

Have taken a deep breath, tried to remain calm and started to go about getting into Quito instead. Will then worry about re-arranging hotel and flights from mainland to the Islands.

[Jules]

Oh yes I second JAmes Comments, many thanks to Gary and KAthy for organising it all, especially when it all became a bit fraught and uncertain. It really was worth it!
And thanks to everyone for being such good company. A real pleasure to go on holiday with so many nice people.

I can't wait to read everyone else's reports now...
Jules

[Midnight]

Originally Posted by Jules

Note Ken who got the prize for most original sleeping pose

Nah! What is unusual is that he does not have his pants on his head whilst singing an unusual song about a pixie!!!

Fantastic report and amazing pictures hon. Green incoming.

Midnight

[Jules]

still keen to find out if he managed to smash his free diving record in Bonaire??? Anyone heard from Jane and Ken???

[principia]

He didnt beat it, But I whooped him with an impressive 5.1 metres

You will have to wait to see some of his macro shots from Bonaire. The man is getting to grips with his camera big time!!

J.

[Ahoy]

Splendid report and an awesome trip. Definite addition to the 'to do' list...

The unusual lava pattern is called pahoehoe (pronounced pahoyhoy) and is a result of rapid cooling of lava flows. I knew that A-level in geology would come in handy...

S.

[Jules]

I spent most of the land trips wishing that i knew just a little about geology!

[dct]

Excellent trip report, thank-you.

Only 51 weeks to go until my wife and I are there...

Can I ask a question please? What was the air temperature in Quito, and what was it in the Galapagos on board the boat?

We are going to the rainforest for a week, then Quito, then liveaboard (Aggressor), so packing for all the climates could be difficult!