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Kiwi & Coconut Chronicles

November 2024 - March 2025
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Galapagos, Costa Rica, Roatan, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, New Zealand Read more
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  • 35days
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  • Costa Rica
  • Ecuador
  • Switzerland
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Around the world, Backpacking, Diving, Nature, Photography, Solo travel, Surfing
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  • 36footprints
  • 35days
  • 415photos
  • 0likes
  • 16.4kkilometers
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  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    Day 1

    Ready to go!

    November 5 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Bleary-eyed and too early for the world, but eager to escape the cold and the creeping darkness of these mornings. Soon, the trees will shed their leaves, and the chill will only grow more relentless. Time to trade the gray skies for sunshine, and let the warmth of new horizons lift me from this endless winter.Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    Day 2

    Too many options...

    November 6 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Touchdown in Quito, the sky wide and clear, a world away from Zurichs winter shroud.

    From above, Quito looks unique—it's built across flat mountains and deep canyons, likely carved by rivers over time, sitting high at 2,800 meters.

    I took a taxi to my hotel, checked in, and then headed out for water and a bite at a small, cozy restaurant. The food was delicious, and I met a friend of the owner, a local guide. She showed me a map and listed some options: a five-hour hike to the mountain peak, exploring historic Quito with its large chapels and museums, visiting the Botanical Garden, or even standing on the Equator line nearby. I could also do half-day trips to nearby lagoons or hike the volcano up to 5,700 meters.

    It’s 7:00 in the morning now. After breakfast, I’ll head out and decide where to start exploring.    Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    2
    Day 2

    Unprepared...

    November 6 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    I left the hotel with a banana and the intention to visit the Historic Centre. But as I rode with Roberto, my cab driver, upon seeing the clear skies I suddenly changed my mind. I asked Roberto to take me to the Teleferico instead to go up Rucu Pichincha, the mountain right here in Quito. Roberto dropped me off around 8 a.m., kindly offering me a mango as a parting gift. I was at the right place but two hours early, so I lay down and enjoyed the sun’s warmth and the stillness around me.

    When the Teleferico opened, I went up to 3,947 meters armed only with my banana and mango, no jacket, walking shoes, water, or food. Hiking wasn’t the plan, but I started anyway. I met fellow hikers — two girls from the UK, a Dutch couple, a German-Argentinian couple, and a Texan. Together, we motivated each other up steep paths and loose sand until I reached around 4,650 meters — just 50 meters shy of the summit (4696). The altitude is challenging, and I feel dizzy; the last bit requires climbing and in my current state, I am not ready for it. So I sit here, enjo the view, and rest until I feel ready for the decent. Then me and my Mango (i ate the Banana) will slowly hike back to the Teleferico hoping to find some water there...    Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    2
    Day 2

    Fruits and Friends

    November 6 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    I’ve had a beautiful first day here in Quito, filled with the colors and flavors of fresh fruit - watermelon, mango, and two bananas. For breakfast, I tried a new fruit: the "tomate de árbol" (tamarillo in English, Baumtomate in German). Sweeter than a tomato, with a peel that’s left aside, it makes a delicious smoothie.

    I’d planned on an easy day, just a stroll through the Historic Centre, but Quito’s skies had other ideas. After a last-minute change of plans, I found myself hiking Rucu Pichincha with only a banana and a mango - It felt both foolish and freeing, a reminder of how much can unfold from a simple shift of direction.

    The hike drained me, and despite my sunburn and a bit of sunstroke, the way down was full of fun. I slid down in the sandy places, hiked in the others, and met again all those I had encountered on the way up - the British girls, the Dutch couple, the German-Argentinian pair, and the Texan. We gathered at a lookout and finished the descent together, drank a beers, piled into a big cab, and headed back to the city for another drink.

    We planned to meet again for dinner, but my headache worsened, and I knew I needed rest. For now, I’ll leave you with a few photos from the hike and some pictures of the Curiquingues.    Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    Day 3

    0.0’0’’

    November 7 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    I woke up with a headache from yesterday’s sunstroke, but after a Dafalgan and breakfast, I was ready to go. Luis, my cab driver, took me to the middle of the World, la mitad del Mundo, where the equatorial line was first calculated by a French geodesic mission in 1736.

    There’s a large monument marking the 'center,' with a bold yellow line on the ground dividing the hemispheres. The museum here dives into Ecuador’s history and the debates around Earth’s shape back then, as well as the scientific missions sent to map the equator. It’s fascinating that, nearly 300 years ago, they calculated this point with remarkable accuracy. They were only 240 meters off, just a short walk north from here. So, while this monument stands proudly, I think I’ll go try to find the true center of the world myself.    Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    2
    Day 3

    Quito fades, Ocean calls

    November 7 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    After visiting the equator, I finally set out to explore the historic center of Quito. A cab ride took me straight to the Basilica, a towering beauty even more striking up close. I snapped a few photos and wandered further, reaching the Plaza de la Independencia. The square had its charm, but the historic center didn’t captivate me as I’d hoped. Museums weren’t calling to me today, so I let the idea of exploring Quito’s history fade and opted for lunch instead.

    Back at the hotel, I decided to dive into necessary preparation: studying for my diving certificate in Galapagos. Now I’m on my bed, going through lessons on the PADI app, brushing up for the underwater adventure that lies ahead. Tomorrow will be an early start - I need to leave the hotel at 3:30 a.m So this is my last entry from Quito. Next time, I’ll get to show off the Galapagos Islands! 🙂    Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    2
    2
    Day 4

    Touchdown in Paradise

    November 8 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Boarding pass ✅
    Transit control card ✅
    Cash for the Galapagos entrance fee ✅

    Getting up at 3 a.m. was a small price to pay for what’s unfolding already. After touchdown at the Galapagos airport, where I met our guide and the group for the boat cruise, we took a private bus straight to the port. The wildlife welcomed us even before we’d left the dock. A sea lion, completely unbothered, slept sprawled across a bench. Iguanas sunned themselves nearby, and flocks of birds circled overhead - pelicans among them, along with others I couldn’t yet name.

    After a quick briefing, we found our rooms. I have a beautiful cabin to myself, which feels like such a luxury.

    I have a bit of time before lunch and our first excursion this afternoon: a sandy beach walk followed by snorkeling. We’re expecting to see tortoises and, if luck’s on our side, flamingos. Sunscreen is a must today - I’m definitely not making the same mistake again. 😅    Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    2
    Day 4

    Black Dragons and Blue Feet

    November 8 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    This afternoon, we landed on Bachas Beach for some animal spotting. Sadly, we missed seeing the turtles themselves, though we did find their tracks leading from the beach into the sea. But the experience more than made up for it - we spotted so many birds, and even a flamingo! My personal favorites were the blue-footed boobies and the marine iguanas, which really do look like little black dragons.

    After a short, refreshing swim in the sea, we headed back to the boat, where a curious sea lion paid us a visit. Tonight, I’ll head to bed early while the captain navigates a seven-hour journey through the night to a northern Galapagos island. Tomorrow’s adventure awaits!    Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    2
    Day 5

    Snorkeling inside a Vulcano

    November 9 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    During the night, our captain guided us into the flooded crater of Genovesa Island—a spot you’ve got to see from above! Check the map on FindPenguins!

    This morning, we set off on a hike across Genovesa. The island’s remoteness keeps it free of predators, making it a haven for bird chicks. We were able to get surprisingly close to the birds and nests, it felt surreal. Highlights included sightings of the red-footed booby, nazca booby, frigate bird, swallow-tailed gull, and even the elusive short-eared owl! Small marine iguanas were scattered everywhere, adding to the wild charm.

    After a short break, we moved to the other side of the crater for snorkeling. And here’s where I got lucky: I spotted a hammerhead shark and a manta ray gliding just a few meters below me, alongside a parade of vibrant fish. My personal favorite? The bumphead parrotfish! Unfortunately, I don’t have an underwater camera, so if you’re curious, you’ll have to Google it for the full effect.

    As I write this after dinner, we’re already heading to our next island. More to come tomorrow!    Read more

  • TravelerKiwi & Coconut Chronicles
    2
    Day 6

    Alien Planet Plaza

    November 10 in Ecuador ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    This morning, we touched down on the Plaza Islands, another world entirely. Though stepping onto North Plaza is off-limits, we explored South Plaza - and it felt like paradise from another galaxy. Picture this: a landscape blanketed in red plants, cacti spaced out like sentinels, and hundreds of iguanas roaming everywhere. Most of the iguanas here are galapagos iguanas, one or the three sorts of land iguanas in Galapagos. The bright yellow scales of the males, mark them as ready for mating.

    Plaza Island was a photographer’s dream - each corner more surreal than the last. And down along the rocky shoreline, sea lions lounged lazily, with adorable pups occasionally peeking out. Watching them was a treat, but our visit was short. Galapagos time slots are tight, and before we knew it, we had to leave this alien paradise behind.

    Now, our “spaceship” sails to the next island, ready to land on yet another world.    Read more

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