Travelogue: Ecuador 2009
24th March South America by Tony Deis on Mar 24, 2009
By Nicole Apelian, Lead Guide and Adventurer A week ago we arrived in Quito, almost 10,000 feet in elevation. There we found a beautiful old town with colorful markets, wonderful seafood and a relaxing atmosphere. After a day of exploring, we went on an amazing horseback ride through the Reserva Geobotanica Pululahaua; a crater 5km across and located in the cloud forest outside of Quito. Up and around, this journey involved climbing extremely steep and narrow pathways about 70 degrees in incline! It was so dense our guide had to cut away the foliage with a machete in front of us. The horses stepped from boulder to boulder and stone to stone on loose rock. It eventually become to steep for them to carry us and we walked alongside our four legged friends. At the end of our expedition we celebrated with delicious local drinks made of fermented sugar cane, cinnamon and juice. The next morning we boarded a plane to the Galapagos, which is about 1000km from the mainland. After landing on San Cristobal Island we started out with an exhilarating mountain bike ride that ended up on the beach. As soon as I started swimming a sea lion stole my towel. These marine mammals are unafraid of humans, they swam and played with us like we were one of their own. Later we headed back to our hotel and rooms complete with a bed, a hammock and a wonderful local meal; of course fresh fish always being the main dish. The next day we were ready for a full day of snorkeling. Our boat took us out to places rife with hammerhead, white-tipped reef and Galapagos sharks. We also swam with eagle rays, sea turtles and tropical fish to numerous to name. The young sea lions dodged and dipped around us like we were their playmates. Marine iguanas, male frigate-birds with their balloons all puffed out trying to win a mate and all three species of boobie birds surrounded us. After a full day of snorkeling, we went to the Galapagos Interpretation Center where we learned about the geological, biological and cultural history of the island from our local naturalist guide. The natural history and diversity here is outstanding. As I post this message I'm convinced everyone should see the beauty of the Galapagos at least once in their lifetime. A place where animals don´t see humans as a danger and you truly find close encounters. I need to go now, I don't much time in the internet cafe and our 7 hour hike today on the Sierra Negro Volcano has me ready for a rum drink at the beach bar. There will be more to come... Want to see the world with Nicole? Check out Africa June 2009 Write Comment
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