I loved that cactus. Instead of the radial symmetry most cacti have, this seemed to be an inflated 2D structure. The back was like a reflection of the front. It didn't have a label so I have no idea what it was. It was about 4 ft high.
No easy way to get to Ecuador. Even the Americans and Canadians were saying about three planes etc. At least they were mostly in the same time zone and not six hours difference. We flew the wrong direction to Amsterdam, then to Quito, on KLM. Then we had Quito to Guayaquil and then on to San Cristobal on Latam. Our alternative was Heathrow to Madrid then on to Quito. I try and avoid London airports if at all possible. We could also have gone via Miami and Houston. That involved USA visas and Houston have a reputation for losing luggage.
Love the bamboo structure but really not keen on bonsai, cacti or orchids of the exotic waxy/plasticky sort. However, the colours of that one with the stripes are sumptuous, like a Regency chair.
Love the tale of the landing and coca drink. Probably safe to drink to help with altitude sickness for short periods.
Flew thru Houston in 1988 - first thing I saw on going thru the transit areas was a huge Texan doing a JR impression - hat, bootlace tie, turquoise belt buckle and snakeskin cowboy boots. Hard to keep my face straight.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Yep. It got even better (figure of speech for entertaining in an alarming way) in Austin. OH was posted there for 4 months on a contract and I went over for hols.
People driving around with rifles on the back of their pickups, Tex-Mex food (yuk), big hair, disco line dancing like Saturday Night Fever......
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Standing in the Queue at Quito airport, the woman behind me is fussing that there are two people with the same name(both first and surname) on the boat. One from USA and one from Surrey, England. Then we realize that they have the same surname as me as well. Of course someone somewhere has decided we are all related and are one group, even though it was three separate booking at different times. How weird is that. We get talking and then my husband says he is from Coventry. Mr B from Surrey says his grandfather was from Foleshill in Coventry. My Great Grandfather was from Foleshill in Coventry. It was not that big a place in the late 18000/early 1900’s. We can’t quite establish that we are related but I think it is likely somewhere along the line. What are the odds of that with only six Brits on the boat out of a 100 guests?
The lady sat next to me on the plane is going to be on the ship for two weeks as well. Everyone else seems to be going for the Western itinerary only,(Six expedition days) and then onto Lima or Macchu Pichu or the Amazon. I figure it is so far that doing both itineraries at the same time makes sense. Natalie and her husband Michael have been on all the Silversea Ships except this one, and she raves about them. She spends about three months a year traveling with her toyboy. She is 78,with a knee replacement. Her husband is 74. Another two flights and we finally arrive in the Galapagos. After clearing customs, we go down to the dock and wait for the zodiacs to the boat. Within 5 minutes we have seen Galapagos Sealions cavorting in a shallow pool. Shame about the baby playing with a discarded plastic bottle. Another couple of large males seem to do a bit of posing. I spotted Sally Lightfoot crabs on the rocks and my first Marine Iguana. There are two Sealions on the end of the pier. We pass within two feet of them to get on the zodiac.They are not fazed in the slightest. Frigate birds are circling overhead.
We are met on the boat with a flute of fizz, and our Butler!! leads us to our room. This is the fridge with drinks etc. Anything else you want , just let us know. We also have a cleaner who comes in at regular intervals to tidy up and replace any damp towels. Huge bed with smooth Pratesi sheets , loads of towels in the bathroom.
Really good lunch,(must watch the waiter who keeps topping up the wine glass), followed by briefings and emergency evacuation drill.
When we go to Dinner, there is a Galapagos Brown Pelican sat on the rails by the stern. I am so tired I had a starter then went to bed.
There are two mini bars of the Ecuadorian chocolate laid on the bed, along with tomorrows itinerary.
Thanks for the latest instalment Fidgetbones. It's a small world right enough, what were the chances of that regarding the possible relatives?! Love the photos, especially the one of the crab. Looks like he (?) could give a nasty nip. The boat sounds really comfortable, in terms of the cabin and food. Got to love a generous wine waiter !
Still tired so given a choice, I took the easy option of a one hour zodiac ride. I had a very gentle cruise around with the guide pointing out animals and the geological features. We saw turtle tracks on the beach where the turtles come in to lay their eggs at night. When they go back into the sea they leave tracks on the beach that look like a four wheel drive has been up it.
Galapagos sea lions swimming around and basking on the rocks.
Galapagos penguins. Very small,and awkward to photo as they turn their back on the sun to stop their feet getting sunburned. Blue footed boobies
Galapagos brown Pelicans
Sally lightfoot crabs all over the rocks. The babies are black and blend in with all the black rocks.
Meanwhile OH went for a walk up the crater of the Island 380 steps uphill. He said he had good views. I felt exhausted just looking at it.
Later on we go snorkelling from the beach around the same headland.
Didn’t see the penguins again, but saw a sealion sleeping on a rock, and a shark underwater. Quite a lot of coral fishes like parrot fish, but no coral.
After arriving back at the boat, we have to rinse off our shoes to make sure no sand is transferred from one island to another, to cut the risk of cross contamination. The guides on the boat are all certified by the Galapagos parks dept, and take their jobs very seriously. They are only allowed to lead a party of maximum 16 people, and we have eight guides on the boat. No deviating from the path. No closer than six feet to any animal unless they come to you. No touching of any animal. No shell (or anything else) collecting. Take only pictures, Leave only footsteps. Anyone getting caught short has to do it in a plastic bag so that is is removed from the Island. Doggy poo bag anyone?
Sunday Afternoon
Caleta Bucanero, Santiago Island
Afternoon boat ride was a bit choppier.
Galapagos Fur seals and sealions, blue footed boobies. brown noddy terns. cactus, pelican, Marine iguana on green algae.
Posts
Love the tale of the landing and coca drink. Probably safe to drink to help with altitude sickness for short periods.
Flew thru Houston in 1988 - first thing I saw on going thru the transit areas was a huge Texan doing a JR impression - hat, bootlace tie, turquoise belt buckle and snakeskin cowboy boots. Hard to keep my face straight.
People driving around with rifles on the back of their pickups, Tex-Mex food (yuk), big hair, disco line dancing like Saturday Night Fever......
Another two flights and we finally arrive in the Galapagos. After clearing customs, we go down to the dock and wait for the zodiacs to the boat. Within 5 minutes we have seen Galapagos Sealions cavorting in a shallow pool. Shame about the baby playing with a discarded plastic bottle. Another couple of large males seem to do a bit of posing. I spotted Sally Lightfoot crabs on the rocks and my first Marine Iguana. There are two Sealions on the end of the pier. We pass within two feet of them to get on the zodiac.They are not fazed in the slightest. Frigate birds are circling overhead.
We are met on the boat with a flute of fizz, and our Butler!! leads us to our room. This is the fridge with drinks etc. Anything else you want , just let us know. We also have a cleaner who comes in at regular intervals to tidy up and replace any damp towels.
Huge bed with smooth Pratesi sheets , loads of towels in the bathroom.
Really good lunch,(must watch the waiter who keeps topping up the wine glass), followed by briefings and emergency evacuation drill.
When we go to Dinner, there is a Galapagos Brown Pelican sat on the rails by the stern. I am so tired I had a starter then went to bed.
There are two mini bars of the Ecuadorian chocolate laid on the bed, along with tomorrows itinerary.
Love the photos, especially the one of the crab. Looks like he (?) could give a nasty nip.
The boat sounds really comfortable, in terms of the cabin and food. Got to love a generous wine waiter !
Galapagos sea lions swimming around and basking on the rocks.
Galapagos penguins. Very small,and awkward to photo as they turn their back on the sun to stop their feet getting sunburned.
Blue footed boobies
Sally lightfoot crabs all over the rocks. The babies are black and blend in with all the black rocks.
Later on we go snorkelling from the beach around the same headland.
Sunday Afternoon
Caleta Bucanero, Santiago Island