William Petz :: Ecuador

:: Ecuador - Dec 7th - 17th - 2008::

The Galapagos Islands are islands made from volcanoes and crustal plates colliding. The islands are beautiful due to it's geography and bio diversity. Charles Darwin is most commonly associated with these islands.

:: Where & What did I see::

My Journal

Sunday, 7th – A day of browsing the city of Quito.  Churches, streets, squares and more.  Walked to the top of the mountain that the “Virgen de El Panecillo” stands.  Every 4 steps had me out of breath due to the elevation.

Monday, 8th – A ½ day trip to the Equator in which I saw the water go one way on the north, the other in the south and down strait on the Equator.  I also was able to balance an egg on a head of a nail.

Tue, 9th – Drove to Baeza, for a cold wet bike ride down a muddy rocky mountain at 4400m (14500ft) for 20 minutes, to finished with a 30 mile cruse downhill bike ride.  Crashed at a little hostel, to do it all over again in the morning

Wed, 10th – a few hours relaxing/tanning at Papallacta hot springs. To bike down for a sunny 25 miles along the Chiche river basin side and though 5 tunnels.

Thursday, 11th – Tried naranjilla fruit for the first time.  Packed up for a climbing trip to Cotopaxi a 5897m mountain. After walking just 300m to base camp, I was exhausted with a headache from elevation sickness. We went to bed at 8pm to wake up at 12am on Friday.

Friday, 12th - 1am our journey started to the peak, after 3 hours (5300m) the elevation really hit me, so I didn’t make it to the top. However after an hour walk back I enjoyed the full moon and sight of the stars, mountains and Quito’s lights in the distance.   Later that night, I had to hit up the local salsa club to get my dance on.

Saturday, 13th - I set off on my flight to the Galapagos Islands.  On the dock there were three seals just relaxing.  We set sail on the luxury catamaran on our journey to see amazing wildlife.  That night I walked up the volcano for some great photos of the sun setting.

Sunday, 14th – At 5:30am there was banging on the door to alert us of whales.  At 7:30 we arrive at our first designation in which we see sea Iguanas, a sea lion pup sucking on his mom's nipple for milk, sea turtles, flightless birds, hawks, crabs and different types of volcanic grounds. We then make or second stop for some snorkeling. Out of 13 people only 3 of us went since the water was a bit cold. Wow in the first 5 minutes I was swimming with penguins, sea turtles, sea lions and some colorful  fish. After a few stings from small jellyfish and the close encounters with all the animals, I returned back to the boat. Another boat tour showed more birds (blue footed boobys, pelicans, flight less, penguins), sea turtles and sea lions. After lunch we landed on a black sand beach (volcanic sand).

Monday, 15th - After yet another amazing breakfast, it was off to a cold morning of snorkeling around cliffs.  Snorkeling in the Galapagos never lets you down, pencil spine sea urchins, more sea lions, turtles and fish.    Every foot was another creature, bird or mammals to take a picture of.  The water was crystal clear, you could see the bottom what must have been 50 ft. After lunch we landed on the red beach. (Red due to the iron and oxidation). This time as I was snorkeling 3 sea lions wanted to play, so they circled me for a few minutes as I watched in awe.

Tuesday, 16th - Our return home, yet before we did we went to the island of Lobo (sea lions), and there were hundreds of them all around.  I was able to take some cute face to face pictures.

Wednesday, 17th - I woke up to a free day, nothing planned.  Took a trip up the Teleferico to an elevation of 4100m.  I walked the backs of mountains till about 4300m.  Hungry, no breath, cold and my only view for an hour was the path in front of me and fog all around.  That night, I had a two hour private salsa lesson, which was only $12!!! Had a great time as I learned so great moves.  To finish the night and trip,  I had some typical soup, steak and a the local beer at a little restaurant.

:: Ecuador - Quito & Other Areas::