Galapagos Islands - Ecuador

After my quick week in the Mid-West visiting family and friends, I drove back to New York. I drove straight through and made it to my apartment with enough time to shower and pack for my multiple trips. First up was the Galapagos Islands, off of Ecuador. Amanda Virkler picked me up and we all stayed at Jenna Wiegand's apartment in West New York, NJ in preparation for our flight out of Newark the next morning.

Bags packed and all ready to go!

 After over 24 hours of travel time, including sleeping in airports and no food since the airplane tray the night before, we finally arrived in the Galapagos on San Cristobal. We walked to our hostel, dropped our bags and changed into our swimsuits. We headed out in search of the ocean. Priorities. First stop was a small inlet called Las Tijeteras.

 I love this picture because Jenna and Amanda are both down in the water waving up at me! I can see them, simply because I know to look for them. See if you can spot them!

 From Playa Punta Carola

As the sun started to head toward the horizon, we finally sought out some ceviche, tired, hungry and happy.

 Sunset on San Cristobal

 

Good morning from some sleepy sea lions!

 The next beach on San Cristobal was La Loberia. Couldn't decide which was more fascinating to watch the surfers or the sea lions. 

We made many new friends this week, such as this young pup. Very easy to do as everyone was so friendly and welcoming!

Black lava rocks. Beautiful... until you trip. Ask Amanda!

On to the next island of Santa Cruz!

 El Chato is a large farm up in the mountains that we visited. Tortoises, cows and lava tunnels!

 El Chato actually had taken to liberty to illuminate the lava tunnels.

 Tortoises at El Chato.

 Tortoise at El Chato

 We came back from the mountains and went to Tortuga Bay Beach

 Sharing the beach with the aquatic iguana! They really grew on me during the week. 

 We also went swimming in Las Grietas (lava fissures). We have some amazing pictures on Jenna's GoPro that I will share eventually. 

Spending the evenings relaxing at the hostel.

 Catching the Ferry onto the next island, Isabela. 

 Flamingo Lagoon on Isabela

 Sunset light on Isabela. One of my favorite photos from the trip.

 Hiking Sierra Negra.

 To stand at the edge of the second largest Volcanic crater in the world. Active volcano no less, don't worry they wouldn't let us hike up at the spot the lava is supposed to come out of.

 Due to the fact that the Galapagos Islands are made out of Volcanic rock, there is minimal soil. Therefore, native flowers to the Galapagos are as you see above, tiny. 

 Some of the mist lifting, you can see across the 6 miles to the other edge of the crater.

 Cueva de sucre. More lava tunnels, without illumination this time!

 You can choose to walk along the road through the town of Puerto Villamil, or along the beach. They run parallel to each other and either will get you where you want to go.

 Isabela

 Harbor of Puerto Villamil, Isabela

 Blue Footed Boobies. Our boat captain turned his vessel around again and again for more views, all the while, the birds just watched us spin like we were some crazy animal or something. 

 Snorkeling off of Tintoreras island off of Isabela.

One last ferry back to Santa Cruz so we can fly home the following day.

 We had a 6hr layover in Guayaquil, mainland Ecuador so we went exploring. Guayaquil has four large ceramic statues like this monkey you see above.

 Guayaquil

 There was no way to get a picture by yourself, so I opted to share my picture with those around me!

 Parque Boliviar (Parque de las iguanas - see below)

We went looking for Iguana park hoping to find the large ceramic iguana that is somewhere in the city. To our surprise the park was instead literally nicknamed for the many land iguanas calling it home.

Whether the taxi driver who moved to the Galapagos six years ago attracted by the familiarity of the culutre, or the hostel owner's son who wants to be a boat captain when he grows up, the common uniting bond of these people is harmony. Living in harmony with nature and working to conserve that harmony.

After a week of getting to know Galapagos, we have:

- made many new friends

- swam with sharks

- walked a path alongside the giant tortoise

- jumped into lava fissures

- stood at the rim of an active volcano

- shared a beach with iguanas

- played side by side with sea lions

- been kissed by the sun, washed by the ocean, and so much more.

Thank you Galapagos!