My goodness, what a fun packed two days we have had so far.
First we flew in to San Cristobal island, and visited the Galapagos visitors centre, followed by a snorkelling lesson in one of the sheltered bays of the island. This was aided (and hindered at the same time) by two baby seals, plus a very protective parent who decided to perch on the steps we were using to get in and out - so much so that becky, James and Kay couldn't actually get into the water! Hum.
Very shortly afterwards the peace and quiet (sarcasm) was broken by a shriek from tilly who seems to have a bottom that is attractive to baby sealions, later we snorkelled again at the nearby beach met more sealions and watched the sun set.
Today we set forth in the fastest speedboat on the island (petrolheads will need to know at this point that we had 3 200bhp outboards almost flat out) we visited a small rock island and saw nesting boobies! and did some boat based drift snorkelling. The group again encountered a some sea-lions and we played with one in the shallows for about 30 minutes, where *most* people conquered their fears of baby sea-lions wanting to play. Catherine had extra attention from one which managed to unzip the back of her wetsuit!
Later we visited another crater lake, where Martyn and kay's fog curse struck - we were unable to see anything for the fog 8-(
Phew, I'm exhausted writing this....
Even later we jumped on mountain bikes and cycled from the crater lake to the tortoise sanctuary where we met several of the local tortoises who frankly weren't that interested in us. They also breed then here, and there were some baby ones, about 4 inches across.
Now after all that we are off back to our very posh hotel (with pool!) for a mud removal session in the showers and then some dinner.
We are off to another island tomorrow - Floreana
(sorry no pics today, movistar are not giving us much cellular love on the island and we have veeeerrryyy slooow GPRS only)
Hi J,
ReplyDeleteShame theres no Glapagos pics, but thanks for the update.
We had a bit of excitment yesterday. We had just got to the cross on the peak and got our lunch out when we were all waved back. It was Sunday so there were loads of locals out, there were well over 100 people there. Well we went back a bit to a flattish area and the air ambulance flew in. The waver tried to wave us back a bit more, but we had all spent too much time watching telly and we all crouched down in a huge huddle 8-). The helicopter hovered by the mountain side, and blew loads of dust and dirt into my lunch. 3 blokes jumped out. 2 went off to see the casualty and one made it very clear that the helicopter wanted the flat bit; thats where it landed once we had been shoo'd away.
Mum says hello.
Dad (still being a parttime receptionist) Xx
Hej Charlotte, You must have had a fantastic time snorkelling and see some amazing things. Baby sealions and baby seals What a treat!Pity about the lack of picture! but I am sure you will make up for it with your pictures! I hear Vianney has sent a long comment at last on behalf of everyone. Have a great week! I better start cleaning your room! It might take few days... Lots o love... M & D
ReplyDeleteBonjour Cath! Going home today from France :(
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having fun doing all this snorkelling! Dad liked the idea of the speedboat (no surprise there)!
Bye for now. Tons of love, Mum xxxx
Hi all, snorkelling with mischievous sea lions sounds great! Have you met Lonesome George yet?
ReplyDeleteK and M, house fine and plants watered plus couldn't resist removing all the brown leaves (I know, I'm predictable!).
Ava has outgrown the moses basket and is now sleeping in her own bedroom. We've taken her swimming twice - she loves it - but it may be some time before we can teach her to snorkel.
Going camping next week - the campsite in Exmoor where we had the 'incident' with the minibuses!!!
Loving the blog - check it first thing every morning. Claire, Ava and puppy kisses from Kali xxx
Hi All
ReplyDeleteWow it all sounds amazing. Tilly you are living your dream!!!
We are having to manage with just a visit and a day on the boat in Devon - jumpers and shorts - typical English weather.
Make the most of everything you will be home in less than a week!! The ironing pile is waiting for you Tilly!!!! Hurrah!
Take care and no lie ins ! Use every minute you might well never visit there again.
Bye for now
Look forward to photos sometime.
Love M D E ( miserable with cold!!) and O ( who has gone diablo mad!)xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Rhiannan
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous. I hope you take some photos of the tortoises! Olivia had a sleepover at Beth's on Saturday and came home late Sunday evening, Bryony has just come back (today is Monday) from a sleepover at her friend's house in Theale, and Olivia is off for another sleepover on Wednessday!!
Bryony is going wakeboarding on the lakes by the M4 on Wednesday with Lucy (it's her birthday treat! The weather here is a bit like a troublesome teenager - one minute the sun is out and everything looks sunny, and the next minute, you duck for cover as it's cold and cloudy!
Gran and Grandad send their love, your dad has tried to get them to blog but as yet with no success (I know that they are reading the blogs so I hope they read this ........come on grandad get blogging!)
Missing you lots, love Mum, Dad, Olivia & Bryony xx
Dear group,
ReplyDeleteSorry this is not your beloved family.. (I hope they will post some comments soon because I know how happy they make you!)... this is your good old dutch Yanapuma group leader who is MISSING YOU LOADS! You made it to the Galapagos: that's great!
Ow guys I had such an amazing time with you. I have forgotten all the sweat, stones and rats in Caimito already and I'm telling everyone in Quito and Holland how lucky I was to meet a group like yours. As expected, my second group was not half as nice and hilarious as you! They even dared to complain about the lovely circumstances in Bua. They should have seen us struggling in Caimito...
Anyway, I stayed longer than expected with the community but I am now safe home in Quito. I showered for hours, got drunk and ate tons of chocolate cookies. And I just uploaded my pictures on facebook, hope to see you there!
Thank you so much again for the amazing time we had. I have just read all your blogs which really made me laugh. I don't know what I would prefer more: a bush baby on your mosquito net, a snail between your legs or a sea lion fancying your bottom?!
I love you guys, take care and enjoy the last days in Ecuador!
Sabine
Yo homies, wassup?
ReplyDeleteSo Basically, my computer died and for the past 3 weeks I've had no internet, it was horrible. So tonight I thought I'd try to catch up on the old blog and see how you're all doing :)
BB fans (Rosie + Charlotte I think?) - I don't know if anyone's told you yet (because I gave up reading everyone's comments after one post had 33 and it took like an hour for my computer to load) but JEDWARD went into the big brother house. Only to perform, but still, they trashed it a little bit too, was v. entertaining :D
Also, I'm missing my girlies! Louise, Jess, Tillz and Millie especially! I have some news for you when you get back :D I hope you're having an incredible time (it looks like you are) but I think it's about time you came back, because everyone's going on their holidays now and I'm stuck at home watching daytime television on my own :( Also, Louise, I need to go get my wetsuit for newquay but I'm not doing it until you get back and come with me to try it on, ok? Also, I called shotgun for the car ride up in Brad's car ;) LOVE YOU CHICKEN!
Anywaaay, see you all soon, love and stuff, don't get malaria :D Charlotte xxxxxxxxx
P.S. Rosiee!! Jedward have released an album and in one of their music videos they have their hair flattened down on their face...it doesn't look right! Also they've covered 'all the small things' by Blink182. Although, tbh, you probs found all this out before you went? I don't know, I thought I'd update you anyway!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte xxxx
P.S P.S Mystery Jets were killed in a freak accident involving a whale and a yacht.
jk, I'm still hoping! ;) xxx
Hi Rosie, I'm so envious, it sounds as if you're having a truly amazing time - although swimming with seals sounds a bit scary to me! Really hope you're making the most of your last week, can't wait to see you on Sunday. I keep looking at your room and savouring it looking tidy.... Proof that Max is a revolting cat - I caught her eating a pile of dried vomit(cat, not human) outside the back door! Words fail me. Saw Rory again yesterday and he sends his love. I send lots and lots too and apologise in advance for embarrassing you when you get off the coach. See you Sunday!xxxxx
ReplyDeleteHi Tilly,sounds like u r havin fun and so are the sealions lol.i hope u have had a shower after my comment last time u had fuzzy hair.I have an apology to make to eliza she dosnt sleep noisily she is like a deafening rhino.lol bi ben u no ure cousin xxx
ReplyDeleteHEllo Tilly
ReplyDeletesounds like your having a fab time particularly loving the picture of pip being normal!
Benjamin Earl! we will be having words!
Have a fab trip home !
See you tomorrow!
:) xxxxx Eliza