Galapagos part 3

We walked round to a smaller bay where we went snorkling, and there were lots of fish the colour of sand so had to stay really still so you could see them, then swam to a rocky bit where the fish were all colourful and pretty. Got out and went for a walk where we saw a turtle in the water, although we could only see its shadow under the water. Swam again with snorkles and there was a shoal of fish that was so tame you could swim right amoungst them, about 200 fish.

Galapagos part 2

After the lava tunnels, we went to Los Gemelos (the twins) which are two large craters created by compressed volcanic gases in chambers exploding. When you shouted you could hear it echoing all round.
Since 1990s when they changed the law no one can move to the Galapagos, unless they are working on a science project or something, or marry someone who already lives there. The people who live there though (20,000) are mainly from different parts of Ecuador. In the 70s (i think) there was big fires in Loja (another part of Ecuador) so the goverment gave some land in the Galapagos to the people of Loja, so there is one village just of people from Loja.
After Los Gemelos, although the tour had officially finished our guide took us to a school performace, as we were really near there and his girlfriend was the dance teacher for the performance. He told us it was one of the posh schools on the island, and pointed out the mayor and ex governor of the Galapagos in the audience. The performance was of Dr Seuss The Lorax, read partly in English partly in Spanish, and was very cute. After we got yogurt and chocolate bread, all made on the island and then went back for dinner in Puerto Ayora.
Friday started with a tour of Tortuga Bay. With a 30 minuit walk in the heat to start, it was amazing when we arrived at the white sand beach with turquoise sand and marine iguanas lying on the sand. It was incredible to see them as they are so different to anything ive ever seen in the wild, and lying on this perfect beach! Icouldnt believe how empty the beach was eitehr considering its meant to be peak season, there were only one family there.

Galapagos

Arrived on Baltra Island thursday morning, after a 2 hour flight from Guayaquil. Was so hot were instantly hit by the heat. Baltra island is the small island above Santa Cruz where we stayed, it used to be a US military base but now just has the airport. It is really dry and arid and there isn´t much there apart from cactuses. We were met at the airport by a cheerful guide called Ceci who took the three of us in the bus to catch the ferry across the canal to Santa Cruz. We then drove straight through the centre of the island, literally as the road is a strait line as far as the horizon, going through the highlands then back down the other side to the coastal town of Puerto Ayora. On arrival we had to pay to enter the national park of galapagos, which unfortunately for foreigners is $100 ( only $6 for Ecuadorians) and our volunteer cards didnt get us the discount like it does in mainland national parks. I was suprised that there were only a few people on our flight who were foreigners, the majority were Ecuadorians. Driving the half an hour to the other side of the island is incredible, in such a short space the dessert like landscape ( about 34 C) changes to lush ferns (about 23 C). In the low lands the trees are odd white things with no leaves called Palo Santo, and looks quite uninhabitable. We arrove in Puerto Ayora (population 10,000- the largest town on Galapagos) went to our hotel and went to lunch at El Chocolate where we ate every day as part of our package. The food was amazing, really fresh fish. After lunch we met our guide Eduado and set off into the highlands with Ceci driving. For a cheap tour it was really good having our own guide and driver! First we went to an underground lava tunnel. They were created when the island was still volcanic, and the outer layer of lava cools quicker and the middle is still liquid and the lava flows through the middle, creating a tunnel. Inside the tunnel is damp, but the stalagtites are still small apparently because the tunnels are still- geologically speaking- young. Our guide said he used to go in them when he was little before lights were put in as he knew the owner, it must be amazing to grow up somewhere so cool. The tunnels were discovered when farmers kept losing their cows, as they would fall in and not be able to get out. Out the other end we saw 2 little owls nesting who live in the tunnel normally. Driving through the highlands you see loads of giant tortoises just in peoples farms and fields- although i think 97 % of the Galapagos is National Park there are people living there and farms. Unfortunaltly the people who came to Galapagos first from Spain ate the giant tortoises and used them for fuel so the population went from 900, 000 to just 3000, although that number has risen again to 9000. They are doing lots to protect them now and the Charles Darwin Research centre collects the eggs and makes sure more of them survive to adulthood. We went to one "farm" where tourists pay a couple of dollars and can walk around amoungst the tortoises, although not allowed to touch them. From the road we saw some ferral goats who are introduced to the island not native, and are really bad news for the tortoises as eat the same food as them. On one other island they have exterminated all the goats and the tortoise population is doing really well, and doesnt need help with the breeding anymore. Another problem is cats, as they eat the eggs of birds and tortoises, and apparently if theres a cat in the road they are meant to run it over! Poor cats!

Sunday 8th November
On friday we went to Baños which is a small town with natural hot volcanic springs. There isnt much there other than a pretty church and lots of hostels/hotels with pools you can use. The one we went to looked like a swimming pool, exept was a bit cloudy (white not brown), and was SO hot! One part we couldn´t even go in strait away as was so hot, and the main part felt more like a jacuzzi. It was really nice as I dont particularly like cold swimming pools!
Yesterday I went to Cajas, a National Park. It is very high up- the altitude ranges between 3150 and 4450 metres above sea level. Everyone in Cuenca says how cold it is there, and its name comes from the Quechua for word for cold, but when we got there wasnt actually that cold and was still much hotter than England, probs bout 18 c but here everyone thinks thats the coldest weather ever!
Today me and the other English girls went to a waterfall. It was so beautiful and is 70 meters high. Although I really wanted to swim in the water (like we had seen some photos of people doing) it was ice cold, and there was a sign saying not to so we didnt. Instead we climbed on the rocks round the back of the waterfall and managed to climb forwards and stand under the waterfall that way!
There is a bit of a dry spell at the moment and we´ve had lots of hot weather and no rain for a couple of weeks. This is really lovely exept that our electricity is hydro powered, so on thursday we had a power cut and yesterday a water cut. Although the electricity only cut out for a few hours it felt like forever, sitting in the house with nothing to do!

Wednesday 4th November
This weekend was a nice long 4 day weekend, as monday was day of the dead, and yesterday was Cuenca Independance. On sunday I went to a cow show where Paco was showing his cows. He did very well and in nearly all the rounds his cows came first second and third, but I´m not really sure why as they all looked the same to me anyway!
On monday I went to a concert of Mariachis which is the Mexican singers in sombreros. It was in the old plaza de toros and was a really nice night. There was a singer who I think is the Ecuadorian equivalent of Katherine Jenkins, wearing a ball gown and singing in Spanish. There were some fireworks which would go off randomly through the concert and explode over the round open roof which was really pretty, even though did make everyone jump when there was a big bang all the time!
For the day of the dead there was a big thing in the cemetary, and lots of people go there on the 2nd of novemeber to celebrate.
In the school we have started actually teaching English, although not that much, but it is still better than just doing nothing like before! On friday there was a fiesta for the kids with a clown and lots of party food, which was so funny as had all the kids up and dancing.
Its been really hot this week, on most days reaching 25 to 30 degrees c but everyone here still wears jumpers and jeans and scarves, its crazy!
P.S. Happy Birthday Mum x

Monday 12th October
This weekend we went to a beach town in Ecuador called Montañita. It has one long lovely beach and lots of hostals and bars. It is very hippyish with alot of dreadlocked people selling hand made jewellery on the side of the streets. It is also famous for its surfing, but unfortunately the waves were too small when we went so didnt get the chance. Aswell as jewellery stalls there are lots of stalls selling fresh fruit juice and cocktails, and the local dish cerviche which is a cold fish soup and not for everyone!
The wildlife there is also amazing and there were constantly a group of pelicans flying overhead. Other seacreatures are jellyfish, though only small ones still stung two of the girls, we saw a starfish, and also a beached sea horse which we sqeamishly put back in the sea as was still alive!
The journey there was long and not that nice as on buses, but was still fairly interesting as we passed from the mountainous area to the cloudy mountains where we were literally in the clouds and it was humid and rainforesty, to the lowlands where there were bananas being grown everywhere and had a very latino feel (much hotter than Cuenca), through Guayaquil the biggest city in the country, to the deserty part and finally to the pretty coastal fishing towns.
During the days it was fairly cloudy and most of the girls got sunburnt. We took turns to go swimming and sit with the stuff on the beach, the sea was so warm it was lovely, and whilst on the beach the shops come to you with people trying to sell you jewellery and henna tatoos, and coconuts with a hole in the top and a straw to drink the milk!
In the evenings we went to a small bar/ club where there was lots of salsa and meringue dancing which was really fun.
Sunday morning was really hot and sunny which is typical and unfair as we had to leave at ten! But I definately want to go back when its high season!

Monday 28th September
Had a really good weekend, on Friday it was Isabellas birthday so had a party at the house which was really nice and got to practise my dancing loads! On saturday went to the grandmas house for lunch and whilst everyone was talking about a big concert and i said i didnt have a ticket she bought me one! The concert was of Jean Lois Guerra who is very famous in South America. It latino music and the stadium in Cuenca was packed with 26000 people. The atmosphere was amazing and everyone was dancing with each other the whole time.
On sunday i went to the farm my family has. It is a huge building in the country side and is really georgeous! They have 90 dairy cows and also 2 horses so after lunch i went horse riding. It was really fun altough also very scary as havnt riden in ages and was on very steep ground, anyway was really good fun so hopefully ill get to go again soon!