Packed and ready to go!

Here we are again…. Airport waiting for delayed flight! We are joined by our friends. We are not suffering as we are sitting the lounge biding our time.
Flight to Toronto uneventful. In a coupleRead more
Still looking good!

So this is what the airport looks like at 4am. Bogota airport terminal has upgraded since the last time I was here. Admittedly, a long time ago, when I was on the B767.
We have had our masks on forRead more
We have arrived!

After a 2 hour flight we breezed through the health check stop and vaccine proof, the passport check to be greeted by our luggage already on the carousel waiting for us.
Now that is efficiency! TheRead more
Let the adventure begin

After breakfast we looked at a couple of options for the day. One was a trip to Cerro Blanco protected forest, the other a cab ride downtown to see Iguana Park and a nice Cathedral. Cerro BlancoRead more
Downtown sites

There is much to see downtown. In Guayaquil there are many bronze statues of historical figures in Ecuador.
New portraits

We continued along the river promenade where we all got inexpensive portraits sketched of ourselves. All in all we were happy with the art work, even though I look like a baby faced grocery boy whileRead more
Along the promenade

Up to the Lighthouse

We met the rest of our fellow tourists this morning. All together we are a group of 16, everyone except us Canuks are US citizens. They all seem friendly and most have gone on multiple trips with thisRead more
Fruit stands

Just as we got hungry, we stopped at a fruit stand get some finger bananas, guaba and seedy tangerines. Guaba looks like an ugly cucumber that twist to get apart. You eat the sweet coating of theRead more
Cocoa plantation

We had lunch at an Organic Cocoa plantation. As you might expect, there is a long winded explanation of the value of organic farming and the co-operative they belong to. They are preaching to theRead more
Random photos Guyaquil

Buses, planes, barges & speed boat

This is a travel day for us and what an adventure to get from Guayaquil to Isla Isabela, Galápagos Islands !
We began at 6am- rise and shine! Packed suitcases &
out the door by 7am, down forRead more
We have arrived

After a long day of travel we arrived at the Scalia Lodge. The lodge is on a large acreage that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. We are staying in tents, but don’t feel sorry for us as the have warmRead more
Early morning Nature walk

It was an early start this morning with breakfast at 6:30. The morning activities include a coastal nature walk. We are guided by a local naturalist Joel and he talks about the marine iguanas we see,Read more
Shark infested waters!

Dianne and I brought some snorkeling gear with us and we rented more. We added short wet suits to our list as the water is an unseasonably cold 68 degree Fahrenheit. I have convinced Dianne that theRead more
Afternoon nature walk

Our afternoon walk is in hopes of seeing a giant tortoise. Unlike other kinds of wildlife, once you find one, it doesn’t run away fast. The walk starts off with the usual iguanas and birds. OneRead more
The Wall of Tears

This afternoon’s trek was described as a power walk. The walk was usually at a fast pace except when we stopped to see the giant tortoises. We saw three altogether. And they are impressive.
The endRead more
To the volcano!

Another early morning so we can be first to see the volcano. We start off with ponchos on and wet weather gear. By the time we get to the Sierra Negra Volcano, it has stopped raining and we haveRead more
Giant tortoise visit

What we are visiting is a Giant tortoise breeding centre. The giant tortoise is an endangered species so they are making a big effort to bring the population back with a breeding program. Giants startRead more
Flamingos, and some other birds.

Pink Flamingos have an exotic name to go with their exotic look. Dianne got some nice pictures of some on our last full day in Galapagos. The pictures should look even better when we blow them up. IRead more
Whoa we are at the beach!

Haven’t had too much beach time here in the Galápagos Islands. Too busy being schooled on tortoises.
Liz gets lessons from Tom on airplane marshalling!
Saying goodbye

It is our third and last night at Scalesia Lodge in Galápagos. We celebrated our experiences here with a goodbye dinner and what our tour director Marco hopes is new Ecuadorian custom. It is a limeRead more
More Galapagos photos

Enjoy.
Gravol required!

The alarm went off at 4:30. Breakfast was a boxed lunch we took with us. The speed boat ride starts off not too speedy as the sea is rough. There is pitching and rolling and bumping. All the thingsRead more
Tortoise Ranch

The rough sea eventually calmed enough to get the speed boat speeding and we arrived back on Santa Cruz. We are going to a tortoise ranch. Jorge is our guide and as we ride the bus he has about 30Read more
TravelerI look forward to following you on your journey. Have fun!!