The Galaps, Volcan, and Carnival

We (M and myself) are officially done with our portion of Ecuador. There have been numerous requests (which means at least 2) for more wildlife photos from the Galapagos, so here they are. We spent quite a bit of time with giant tortoises – including some newborns,

some five year olds,

some 75-80 years old,

and some sort of hybrid.

We also hung out with sea lions, who took a strong liking to M,

knew how to drive boats,

and found some sort of hybrid sea lion laying on the dock.

Plenty of marine and land iguanas.

And of course birds, birds, birds including more boobies.

We were most impressed with the really large hybrid blue-footed boobies.

The Galaps were enjoyable, tranquil, evolutionary, and tormendous! The Red Mangrove lodges were very nice but the staff (especially Rafael – yes, like the ninja turtle) were even better, although we did stay at a cabin on a secluded beach with an epic sunset.

After we left the islands behind, we immediately transferred from Quito to Latacunga… which pretty much knocked me out for the rest of the evening due to the high elevation at 2800m. Then we decided that we were not high enough so the next day we decided to hike to Lake Quilotoa at 3800m, which then took M down (and she is from Wyoming!).

The trek to the lake was full of indigenous people and agriculture everywhere – all the way to the top of the mountains and on some very steep slopes. The crater lake was beautiful, truly emerald.

After the hike down from the rim, M and I took a horse and mule back up (we tried to hike it, but my heart was working pretty hard after only 5 minutes and M was out of breath – I was further up the hill than her… in a non-competitive way) but H and R hoofed it straight up the 400m climb. Our horses only caught up to them after they took a brake. Impressive… it’s like this is their job…

We spent our last few days relaxing in Banos, literarily on the side of a often-violently-active volcano with a many meters tall waterfall just off one of the town streets.

We also woke up early to participate in Ambato’s Carnival for the floras y frutas parade. We managed to snag cushy seats for the reasonable price of a $8 brunch at the hotel across from the VPs parade seat (he also happened to be staying at the hotel, which we learned after the parade was over because we temporarily could not leave while the military aggressively took control of the block while he leisurely transferred back).

The parade was wonderful with floats covered in flowers, fruits, and beautiful women, followed by live bands and troops of dancing people in crazy costumes. We hung around the parade until we had enough soap bubbles sprayed on us.

Back at Banos we participated in a large Eucalyptus bonfire (with the height of the flames and embers I am surprised there were no additional fires).

We were all a bit overwhelmed at the crush of humanity in Baños celebrating carnival,

and so we all transferred up to Quito for our last night together.

It rained all day and night in Quito so no partying or salsa dancing for carnival for us in this sweater-wearing, book-reading city. One more game of pinochle?

Tags: Ambato, Baños, Ecuador, Galapagos, Latacunga, Quilotoa, travel blog