Ecuador is better the second time around, because the first time I went it was during my summer, their winter. I don’t like cold weather.  Cuenca was the destination the first time. I went to check it out as it was listed as one of the most desirable places to retire. I enjoyed the city but realized it was not a place I would want to retire. I enjoyed the good coffee, the park in the heart of the town and the architecture was fabulous. Meeting  expats and hearing the good and the bad was invaluable. One expat complained that rents had gone from about 400 dollars a month to  700.00 US. I remember thinking at the time that I would kill for 700.00 rent. I guess it’s all about perspective. There was no real connection with me and the city. But it was nice to visit.

Cuenca

 

Quito

The Virgin of Quito

Quito was the first destination on my second trip to Ecuador with the final destination being the Galapagos Islands. It’s has been a while since I was in Ecuador so some of the pictures may be out of order. Quito was a two day layover before I could fly to Guayaquil then on to the Galapagos.

 

It turns out the Ecuadorians were pretty good head hunters. In battle they would cut off the heads of the enemies, sew the lips and eyes shut, remove the flesh and simmer the head in order to shrink it. The process is more detailed than that but that is all I will say on the subject. The heads actually make the cooked guinea pigs look a little less gross. I really can’t remember if I saw the heads in a museum in Cuenca or Quito.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands was the highlight of this trip and being able to experience the Darwin Research Station. The large variety of animals and sea life was amazing. I got used to the lizards, iguanas, and sea lions as a part of every day life in the Galapagos. On one picture below you will see how the seagulls and sea lions come  onto the dock to beg the fishermen for scraps. Land iguanas, huge iguanas are everywhere and I thought of my sister often on this trip. Okay I’ll be honest I laughed quite often at the idea of my sister being on the island. She is not a fan of lizards let alone iguanas. They are everywhere and a normal part of the landscape.

I took a very strenuous trek with a guide in search of the Blue Footed Booby. Dang it if I didn’t get all the way to the top of the cliff to only see the Red Footed Booby. Seeing the expansive view of the ocean, the beautiful birds, the water clashing against the rocks and getting a magical view into the nesting area was magical.  I have to admit I was a tiny bit disappointed that I didn’t get to see a red footed booby. But getting to nap on the beach with the seals was the best.

What I liked most about the Galapagos was the level of preservation of the land and the care of  animals and the environment. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is also famous as the place where  Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution. Ecologists come from around the world to study the diverse and unique ecosystem.

I experienced two of the islands San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. I really can’t remember which island I stayed on. But I hope you enjoy the pics.

If you ever get a chance, visit the Galapagos Islands, do it!