Having started the shipping process in early May we decided to fly direct to South America (Ecuador) to settle in to the continent.
This settling in period was to include a visit to Galapagos and a commitment to becoming fluent in Spanish. It was obvious from the moment we arrived, that my intrinsic drive to become a master in the Spanish language was not strong, and no further steps were taken in that direction.
As a visit to the Galapagos required little real effort on my part it did go ahead. Gael shouldered the burden of organization as is usual in our team efforts.
As a visit to the Galapagos required little real effort on my part it did go ahead. Gael shouldered the burden of organization as is usual in our team efforts.
A cruise was booked at a reduced rate of US$1270.00pp for six days at Puerto Ayora on the good ship Millennium. This boat falls into the first class category with the price being of the “last minute deal” variety.
The Galapagos is interesting, if for no other reason, than that the animals don’t flee in panic at the sight of a human being. And the ‘boobies’ do come with either red or blue feet!
Time has also been spent at Quito, Mindo (Cloud Forest), and the area around Otavalo to the north of Quito. To facilitate moving around we hired a small four door sedan with even smaller wheels. These small wheels were apt to disappear into large potholes in the roads surface at the most inopportune times.
Our first experience of this resulted in a front rim being mangled and needing the deft use of a mash hammer by a local tyre fitter to get it round enough again so that the assembly would hold air.
If you are tempted to hire a vehicle in Ecuador make it a 4x4 with decent sized wheels, although that will set you back about US$1200.00/week when you load on the insurances. The little tin can we hired was relatively cheap at about US$500.00/week, however it inspired no confidence when faced with the horrendous condition of all the roads other than the Pan American Hwy.
The Ecuadorians drive here with ‘flair’, and interpret the road laws to suit their own needs at any particular moment.
Perhaps you may prefer to get the bus! But if you do, hang on tight, and keep your eyes tightly closed.
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Our DIY camper repainted, the truck refurbished with new bits, at home in Tassie ready for shipping. It will never look this tidy again!
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Blue Footed Boobies dancing.
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Blue Footed Booby up close.
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Amazing how close you can get to these wonderful birds.
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Red Footed Booby.
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Waved Albatross.
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My first Iguana.
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Marine Iguanas vary in colour.
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Galapagos Flamingo much darker colour than others elsewhere.
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Rob photographing one of Darwin's Mockingbirds.
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Excited to go snorkeling around Kicker Rock Galapagos.
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Bumped into this giant wild tortoise while hiking on remote island.
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Darwin Research Station breeding rare long necked tortoise.
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Galapagos Sea lions sleep anywhere in port.
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Quito ran into a parade on Saturday arvo walk.
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Those conquering Spanish passed here.
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Quito hiking down from our ridge top hotel to Convent in valley.
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Town of Mindo- Motmot bird watched us eat breakfast.
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Mindo cloud forest stunning hummingbirds
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Rob perfecting his bird photography!
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Rob's close up of Purple Throated Hummingbird
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Bird feeders in Mindo.
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Otavalo market mainly famous for weaving .
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Our cabin on the slopes of a brooding volcano Atunaqui.
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I bought some nice spuds from this Otavalo stall.
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We used to say g'day to this pig on our arvo walks. Oh well!
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