Everybody was down and ready for the bus by 1am! The bus was only a couple of minutes late, but the driver got the gear loaded quickly and we were pulling out by 1:10am!
It was a quiet group as we drove down the mountain for the last time. I am sure it was mainly because of how early it was, but also most of us were probably reflecting on the happenings of the last week and the fact that the trip was ending for most. Of course, I was very excited that we would be heading off to the Galapagos Islands for a week of real vacation!
Blue, Colleen, Jessica and I were heading to Santa Cruz Island to stay in a house. Sue, Carol and Nora were going to the same Island for 2 days, then going on a cruise. We were all at the airport together trying to do what it takes to get our flight to Guayaquil then to Baltra. We kept being sent to other spots for things we had not done, ie pay a $10 fee (not sure what it was for) and get a receipt, then get boarding passes then pass our luggage through an x-ray to check for produce, plants, animals that are illegal to take to the islands.
We got a lot of run around. And that is with Jessica translating for us! Eeeks, I can’t imagine what it would have been like without her. Then I got to worrying about Ginny, the friend coming from Seattle to meet us, and how she was going to get along! Jessica and I watched for Ginny, but didn’t see her before I had to leave. Jessica was scheduled for the same flight as Ginny, so she stayed and watched for her. It was a pretty short flight to Guayaquil, then a moderate layover.
Finally got to board the flight to Baltra, and there was Ginny! Jessica saw her just as the plane was starting to load. Ginny had all the same problems that we had, but luckily there were enough airline employees that spoke a little English, and she finally made it. Whew! We didn’t know what we would do if she didn’t make it!! Anyway, we were all together and heading for the Galapagos Islands!!
When we arrived we were hit with hot and humid weather. We were no longer at 9000’ (to take our breath away), but the humidity was enough to zap the strength from a body! Once our luggage was gathered we boarded a bus for the short ride to the ferry terminal (free ride), loaded our gear and ourselves on the ferry ($0.80 for the ride) from Baltra to Santa Cruz Island, then a bus ride ($1.80)across the Island to Puerto Ayora.
Farryde met us at the end of the line. Got a taxi (little white trucks) and took us to the house. Taxi’s cost $1.00 (!!!) for a ride anywhere in town! Just put your hand out and one will stop for you!
Anyway, tour of the house, visit with Farryde, melt for a while, then off for a little exploration of the town. Had a nice lunch, checked out some tour day trips, a little shopping, then found the other three ladies at their hotel. We visited and went out for a drink. They had walked to Tortuga Bay and said it was long, but totally worth it! That is on the agenda for tomorrow morning!
It is very pretty here and we are going to enjoy the visit. We finally dragged ourselves off to bed to try to catch up on rest. We have a busy and fun week ahead of us!!
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