Everything in between

Ok, so I havent written on here in ages!!!! So theres alot to catch up on so here goes!

We flew out to Ecuador to Quito after we left Peru. From there we met our Galapagos group and flew out to the Galapagos. You land on an island which is just a runway, Baltra and then everyon scrambles onto a boat to get to the next island - really its chaos. Not to mention the fact that two of our party, Debbie and Spencer were not with us as the tour group had not booked them on the flight..... So you all bundle into a little bus and drive across this Santa Cruz to the little town, where you catch your boat. We were below deck as we were rough travllers, those with the expensive package got the upstairs cabins! but never mind, we were closer to the food room, but right next to the engines.....
From here we visited the Dawin exhibition, which was realy justa few animals in pens, big we saw Lonesome george. The last of his particualr speicies of tortoise from the island of Pinta- and he was a big fella!

We all then hoped on our boat (by now poor Debbie and Spencer had arrived) and we jaunted off that night to our next island. We spent our time on the boat (3 nights) travelling the water at night and then either walking round the islands (after a wet or a dry landing) looking at the different species of animals and plants. And we also did some snorkling, although sometimes its was very rough. We did one bit out by this huge set of rocks where the current was so strong, and the waves so rough it took all your strength to battle it, so you really couldnt see much! And to boot, noone ever saw a jellyfish - but I managed to get stung by one! And that hurt!

We got to see loads of Sealions and swim with them, we even saw a rare furry sealion - a different breed or something, but he looked like a scraggly bear! When you swim/ snorkle they come over to see what yoru up to and swim along with you which is amazing. We also swan with some not so kind animals, white tipped reef sharks. They actually swim at you and below you, its pretty hairy! Our last day on the boat a few of us climbed up to the very top of the boat and started jumping off. It was pretty high, there was a good few seconds before you hit the water! but terribly good fun!

After our stay on the boat we went to Isabella island which looked alot like how i would imagine the carribean to look. Beautiful sandy beaches, witha few local bars, and a handful of glass hotels. It was amazing. To get there though, its a two hour speedboat ride from the mianland of Santa Cruz - fast bumpy and rough. Not the best way to travel!

When at Isabella we headed up the island to one of its many volcano sites, we hiked part way, and then we all hopped on horses for the last bit, which gave a better view, and comedy - there was this large s.american lady struggling with her horse, i dont think it liked her too much!!
We also went to a lava tube out in the rainforesty big of the island, and walked through that, then we headed out on a dingy to see the penguines, and did some more snorkling around. We also visited another turtle santuary which was desterted because it was Easter bank holiday.

In the evenings we went out with our American compadres, Ken, Sandy, Nancy and John. The first night we went to the Iguana Bar where we had some wicked rum drinks, i had passion fruit and dave had lemonade, all freshed sqeezed. And the second night we went to a bar a bit more up the coast and we had cocktails, and nibbles. Now that is the life!

Then we all hoped into our return speedboat at 5am, and headed back to the mainland and our flights. We had one more night in Quito and we all headed out for food, Cerviche, Coconut Shrimp, nachoes, it was good food!!!

And thus concludes our adventures in South America.