Fall

This was the result of my fall while treking back down an active volcano. Luck we had a nurse with us, so she was able to patch me up and I continued the walk without problem. Might have knocked some sense in but I doubt it!!

Thur 16 Feb

Left at 8am to walk on CHINESE Hat Island.
Saw baby sealion collony,lots of marine iguanas and amazing lava rocks. On way back,in panga, we saw of flock of 35 Galapagos penguins. Our morning water activity was snorkelling in crystal clear water with huge numbers of fish. Best yet. After lunch we sailed to Rabido Island and our afternoon swim was on a red sand beach. We saw some blue-footed boobies (birds) on the rocks and one of them was standing on a marine iguana! It rained a little before afternoon walk, where I spotted another vermilion flycatcher. Saw group of small sharks in a feeding frenzie on yellow tailed mullet and at least 6 green turtles swimming just off the beach.

Blog problems

I am back in Quito but am still having problems with sending blogs! Might have to wait until I get home!!

South Plaza Island

Went ashore in the morning and saw lots of land iguana, lava lizards, sea lions with suckling pups + lots more. Sun very hot and stood around a lot as one of our party a bit of a pain with huge video equipment, tripod etc always holding us up! I got a bit too much sun despite lots of lotion factor 50! After lunch we motored to Barrington Bay intending to snorkel with sealions but voted not to as yesterday a female snorkeller was attacked in the bay by a bull shark and we saw one hunting there today. Went ashore later for trek but it poured down, got completely soaked. Ship moved out of bay as wind pushing her on to island. Wind increased, sea got rougher and ship's boats (ribs but they call them 'pangas') had difficulty picking us up from beach. They even forgot to bring life jackets for us!!! Sea too rough to get us back out to ship so had to transfer 4 people from one boat which then sheltered in lea side of bay (now having 12 passengers) while boat with 4 passengers struggled through high waves to ship. I was among 12 rescued by another ship's pangas and returned to our own ship in torential rain and huge swells. Hair raising experience!

Wed 15th

Back in touch by text but still cannot send emails to blog. Do not know why as there is wi-fi available.
Ship (Cachalote) had to re-fuel and re-provision.

Arrived in Santa Cruz again (Puerto Ayora) at 3am and disembarked at 8am for a visit to the highlands (920m). We had a long walk up through the vegetation zones (transition, miconia and pampas). It was very muddy and threatening rain. At the top there was an old volcanic cone covered with mud and vegetation - with almost vertical sides. It started to rain just as we got there and Darwin issued us all with bright yellow ponchos. I declined the climb to the top as I could see it would be a very difficult descent. The men of the “camera crew” went – and Darwin ended up carrying their equipment up and down! Those of us who did not climb to the top set off walking back in the rain. Glad to see the bus when we got back to the bottom after slipping and sliding most of the way! On the return journey we stopped to see the huge lava tunnel, again saw the vermillion flycatcher, went to another (best yet) tortoise breeding centre and then into Puerto Ayora and bough some stamps, postcards and an underwater camera – hope to see more sharks to photograph!

Valentines Day

The walk on Santiago Island yesterday was amazing. The island last had a volcanic eruption just over 100 years ago and the lava was in fantastic patterns like rope or folds of fine material, spirals, swirls and sheets. Very little in the way of plant life.
Today we have been on Genovesa Island. We took the panga to a dry landing onto rocks, up some steep steps to the top at the cliffs to see clouds of petrels flying. Our search was for short-eared owls and we saw 2 hunting before we were ourselves being observed by one in a tree right behind us! Another owl came and they fought - the first one flying off and the second allowed us to walk past within a foot of him, totally disinterested. Later We went snorkelling and a sealion and a fur seal swam alongside me with a turtle below and later a white-tipped reef shark. After lunch I went out in the kayak and a Galapagos shark swam below me. On our afternoon walk we saw great frigatebirds with their bright red throat pouches, lots of boobies and cactus finches. I have never known wildlife so unafraid of human presence. Also saw an octopus in a tide pool.

Sea life

We are at Floreana Island. It is Sunday 12 Feb. This morning we saw flamingoes in a brackish lagoon then walked across the island to a coral sand beach and paddled in the surf with stingrays, taking care to shuffle our feet to avoid being stung. Leaving the beach we had a Galapagos yellow flycatcher landing on our camera lenses to look at his reflection! Back on board we changed into wetsuits and went snorkelling round Devil's Crown. The current was fierce at times and we had to be towed by the panga but there was an abundance of fish, a green sea turtle and a shoal of white-tipped reef shark. I was amazed that I was not terrified as they circled around below me. They were about 2 metres in length. The sea temperature differed a lot depending on if you were over rock or white sand.

Day 4 on boat.

Have not been able to update blog as no wi-fi. Anyway at £5 per Mb it is a bit expensive! Yesterday we went to Carro Brujo beach and saw lots of turtle nests and sealions. Later we walked up to El Jungo lagoon which is a fresh water lake in an extinct volcanic crater and to the tortoise breeding centre. Today we went to Gardner Bay on Ispanola Island and saw lots of marine iguanas. We went snorkelling and had a very playful sea lion join us. Saw lots of fish and a huge sting ray. Val got badly stung by invisible jelly fish, all over her arms and lower legs - not a nice experience. After lunch we went on a boulder-strewn trek to a blow-hole, passing nesting boobies, hoards of marine iguanas and lizards. One sea lion came to smell my foot and there were so many lizards it was hard not to step on them. The sun is very strong. Today it was 34 degrees and the sea 24 degrees. I think something has stung me as my right foot is rather swollen and uncomfortable. Having an unbelievable time. We are now motor-sailing to Floreana. Nice to have some sails up!

Tour of Quito

Arrived at hotel at 00:30 (5.30am UK time). Out on city tour at 9am! Visited the Basilica with its beautiful stained glass windows and indigenous animal gargoyles, Presidential Palace, several other churches and museums and the statue of the Virgin Mary which looks down over the city from a volcano. After a late lunch of fresh mango smoothie, delicious, ham and cheese empanada and chips, costing $5 we walked to the botanical gardens and saw some exquisite orchids of which there are 4000 varieties in Ecuador. Strolling back we saw a vibrant vermilion fly catcher flitting about in the trees. Early start tomorrow as we fly out to the Galapagos islands. Weather here pleasant, dry and warm.

Miami

Arrived on time then spent an hour queueing for immigration. Getting a boarding card for next flight a nightmare but we are now at gate waiting to board flight for Quito. Hope our bags make it.

Gate 27

Just been called through to gate 27 bang on time. Bodes well for connection in Miami.

Heathrow

Kept waking up in the night! Up and showered by 6am. Now in departures having breakfast. No delays reported yet. Excited...... Who me?

Heathrow

Journey to Heathrow went without a hitch and we arrived 15 minutes early. Met Jan almost immediately and we got the bus to our hotel. We have now had supper and a glass of Wine and are settling down to sleep. Have to be at the airport at 8am.

Bus

My bus arrived on time and I am now on my way. Roads are not too bad so far.

Day 1

What a start! Five inches of snow to clear before I set off... Will the coach turn up? Will the flight take off tomorrow? Will we make the flight connection in Miami? Keep turned for the next thrilling installment.

Snow at Heathrow

Heathrow has cancelled 1/3 of tomorrow's flights because of the 6" of snow forecast for tonight. I just hope our flight on Monday is not cancelled - and that I can get down to Heathrow on the coach from Ipswich tomorrow!