The Galapagos Islands

Millions and millions of years ago volcanoes erupted and erupted and erupted and erupted creating these spectacular islands. One of the larger islands still has a sometimes active volcano. The islands we visited were like nothing I had ever seen before varying from barren volcanic rock piled on top of barren volcanic rock with what looked like dead scrub oaks dotting the landscape to think lush forest. All were heavily populated with unique creatures. Hats off to the Ecuadorian government! They are doing a magnificent job protecting these creatures from extinction. My words simply cannot do it justice. Any self respecting birdwatcher, geologist, ecologist, nature lover, or adventurer owes it to themselves to visit these islands. Be warned. Traversing them is not for the faint of heart. These mountainous surfaces which we explored in noonday heat can be tricky at best. And the wetlands aren't much easier for there one must watch carefully for the tortoises so as not to frighten them, and also beware of those clumps of grass encrusted mounds, their poop, which is in abundance. After all, their days are filled with eating, walking, eating, sleeping, wallowing in mud puddles and pooping.

I chose not to snorkel since I am not a strong swimmer and the waves were pretty rough. Those who did were rewarded with sightings of sea lions, a hammerhead shark, and numerous other of God's creatures. When they got back on the boat their eyes were as big as saucers and all they could say was "Awesome!"

Being the flower lover that I am, I also snapped pics of the beautiful trees covered in either orange or yellow flowers. At our quaint little hotel (26 of us went to Galapagos but no one hotel could accommodate the entire group) we all had a 5:30 am relentless wakeup call whether one had been requested or not. Apparently that is the hour when those sea lions start their day. Each morning they cruised through that little cove honking, and honking away. Impossible to sleep through, but why would you want to do so? Sea lions, iguanas, pelicans, crabs, little black ground finch and many other unidentifiable birds (at least by me) loved the little cove adjacent to our hotel, the Blu Galapagos.

As I've said before, the guide can make or break an excursion. Anna was brilliant and did everything she could to see that we all had a wonderful trip. Being only human she could not, however, control the sun, the rain, the tide, the length of our stay, or the number of people allowed on an island at a time. As a conservation measure there are restrictions as to how many humans can be in these creatures' habitat at any given moment, with good reason I might add! Some of our group were disgruntled by some or all of the above and used beautiful Anna as a whipping post. As my calendar reminds me each November 20th, "The really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour." I strive to be that person.

The top revenue producer in Ecuador is oil. Guayaquil, the city where we rejoined the ship, is the largest industrial city and port in Ecuador with a population of some 3 million inhabitants. Driving in Guayaquil can be very hazardous to ones health but our driver navigated thru it all with ease. Once again at random intersections those red octagonal signs with the letters "PARE" are posted. I determined that in this country PARE means royally ignore as that is exactly what these drivers do. IGNORE! Had it not been for our driver's quick reflexes our bus would have been T-boned. They, the Ecuadorian government, is working diligently to improve the economy, the social welfare of its people, the education system, etc. One thing I did not hear in that list was a waste disposal system. From the amount of trash piled along the highways and byways of those cities I passed thru, I can only conclude that there is NO garbage collection system whatsoever. Mr. President, please purchase your people some trash bins and garbage trunks to collect and dispose of their litter. Only negative comment I have about Ecuador.

Alas, my friend Alex is not yet in the tech center so I cannot get his assistance in posting my many, many photos. I think, with his help, I can put captions under each picture so that you will know at what you are looking. Bill Lee, where are you when I need you???? And stop rolling your eyes at me!

Today Is Someday! Live It to the fullest!