Wednesday 22nd Feb 2012.

Day of departure from Cachalote. Got up at 5am to pouring rain. We should have visited North Seymour Island for a one-hour walkabout, but all voted to forego the pleasure due to the weather. Left Cachalote at 8am for our 11.25 flight. Stood around for an hour on the dockside waiting for the bus to the airport. Once there, while looking for last-minute souvenirs, Jan and I were approached by a man who admired our Tilley Hats, then told us he was Alex Tilley, the designer and manufacturer! As they were made in Canada we felt it quite remarkable to meet him on Balta Island in the Galapagos! I told him that his hat had saved me from a more serious head wound and he asked that I email him to detail the incident, then he signed our hats (at our request). We were met by Raoul in Quito and he handed out room keys and flight details for the journey to Sacha Lodge. Unfortunately, he had no details for Jan and myself as there had been a mix-up and he thought the Smiths were going to Sacha and Jan and I were travelling home. Raoul promised to sort it out. Went out and had fantastic steak and salad with a glass of red wine!!