What time does this bus leave again...?

After the Galapagos, almost everyone flew back to Miami. (Two girls actually went on to Lima, where they met up with their parents to go camping around Machu Pichu). I decided I would roam around Ecuador for two weeks, whether I was by myself or not. That is how I found myself on a nine-hour bus ride from the largest city, Guayaquil, to the capital, Quito. I wanted to take the 4:15am bus, so I could sleep half the time.

On the web, it says the buses leave every hour, 15 minutes after the hour. When I called their office, they said the buses leave closer to 30 minutes after, and when I got the bus terminal, the ticket-agent said it was leaving at 4:45.

OK, so waiting 20 minutes on a bus with a tv and a bathroom is no big deal, right? And there were only 5 people on the bus, sweet! But no. 4:45 rolls around, no driver. 5:00 am, the driver gets on and then right back off. 5:15, a huge group of people get on (urgh). 5:20, one lady who was at the bus station at 4am starts making a fuss. 5:25, the bus driver starts getting dressed in his uniform. 5:30, we start to idle out. Turns out everyone who bought a ticket was told ¨the bus is leaving in 15 minutes,¨ no matter what time you bought the ticket. 5:40, the bus stops in a fricking intersection for another group of passengers. Complainer lady starts up again.

And yes, while there was a bathroom, it did not work. Everytime the bus stopped and the driver´s assistant yelled ¨5 minutes here,¨I grabbed my backpack, ran for a bathroom, paid my 25 cents and went as quick as I could.

Except for those two minor inconveniences, it I´m glad I took the bus instead of flew. For one, it was soooooooooo much cheaper. Two, the scenery in the mountains was simply beautiful. I didn´t get motion sickness, as people said I would, and I was able to sleep, as people said I wouldn´t. And despite leaving more than one hour later than planned, I was able to make my connecting bus to Mindo.

Pictures from a lazy day at the Pier

OK, maybe just one picture. This internet connection is sooooooo slooooooooow. It's Wi-Fi, only like Dial-up. That's Nadia with me. She never actually got in the water.

Los Tuneles = The Tunnels

One hour by boat from the mailand, a collection of lava rocks rise up from underneath the ocean in such a way as to become THE thing to see when on Isabela Island. "Have you been to Los Tuneles yet," everyone asks. "They are so beautiful, you must go." OK, well $40 (down from $70) and multiple stomach-dropping waves later, we were there. It was definitely something to see, although if I'd paid $70....I don't know if it was worth that much.

Las Tortugas

Ever since we got here, I've been anticipating going to The Tortuga Islands. And it was spectacular!!! From afar, it doesn't look like much: A big, barren, lunar-shaped island slightly off the coast. But up close, it comes to life. It is one big bird colony, dotted with the occasional sea lion or crab. Blue-footed Boobies (yes, that's what they're called), Red-Chested Frigates, Annis, Other Birds I Don't Know, and even one Albatross flying around. It is such a unique island, it is prohibited to even walk on it! Instead, we snorkeled around in the frigid waters. I got out of the water before everyone else b/c I was so cold (I couldn't feel my fingers!!!), and so was able to snap some pictures of a group of penguins swimming right by.

Relaxing in the Galapagos

Not much to talk about today. We had a couple lectures about different aspects on Isabela. Thankfully, I am not too sore from yesterday's hike, but I think that's because I spent the better part of an hour stretching and massaging my legs after dinner. I am trying to plan a two week whirlwind tour of the mainland for after my class leaves in between lectures. It involves lots of decisions that I don't want to make, like, do I choose to go north or south first? Anyone want to plan a trip for me? In return, I'll bring you back an original Panama hat, which is actually made and originated in Ecuador.

Volcano Sierra Nega

Today's activity was an all-day hike up and around 2 mountains: Sierra Negra and Chico. I don't think I have ever used so many leg muscles in my life. It roughly 10 miles round trip. And the trip back down was through lots of mud, so I was still jarring the same muscles to keep from slipping and sliding. I almost fell asleep at the dinner table tonight.

But the trek was worth it, and I would do it again, even knowing how hard it was. The scenery all along the way was beautiful, and our guide was able to point out many interesting plants, animals and facts on the volcano. The climax of the trip was to the top of Volcan Chico (Little Volcano), which enabled us to see for miles around. Not only that, but the land around and in Volcan Chico was absolutely stunning. It was a mass of colors and rock formations, and it is utterly indescribable. Also, I couldn't take any pictures b/c it was sooooooooooo windy, I had to hold onto someone else so as to not blow away. To the left, I am sitting on the edge of one of the crater pockets.

Yay for Flickr!

I finally figured out how put together a slideshow on this thing, hooray!  On the right, under the "Ecuador Pictures" heading are the thumbnails of the pictures I've uploaded.  If you click on a picture, it will take you to the website where the pictures are uploaded (Flickr).  There are a lot of random pictures thrown in there from all my other trips, mainly b/c I haven't figured out how to separate everything.  Technology...

As for today, I rented a bike to explore some of the less touristy parts of town, and ended up at their tiny little airport.  I also went to the beach and an organic farm/tortoise refuge, which surprisingly very relaxing.  But instead of another picture of a tortoise, I'll leave you with a picture of the stunning passion fruit flower.  Enjoy!