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Or you can view all my Galapagos photos through Snapfish. Just click here!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS DAY 3
Saturday, November, 28, 2009
Sailing Shots
Welcome to Bartolome
On this island we walked up boardwalks and stairs to a scenic lookout at 114m.
This island has a lot of lava. It also has lava tubes on the sides on the mountain. These ones were small but some are actually large enough to walk through. It's also covered in lava bombs. They are balls of lava and air from volcanic eruptions on nearby islands. Above, I'm holding a small one.
This is a scenic and very commonly photographed spot!
Welcome to
Lobos Marinos
This island is almost entirely covered in lava. This particular lava is 120 years old. The volcano is currently dormant. We couldn't see the volcano from where we were but supposedly if you tired to walk across the island to it you'd need two pairs of shoes. There were different lava patterns such as ropey, cow patties, and intestinal lava (pictured below). Because of the lava there were like 2 plants on the whole island.
This is my favorite picture!
Apparently they saved the best snorkeling for last! I saw several sea turtles here. I also saw a penguin swimming around me in circles trying to catch fish. Super cute and fast! I saved my last underwater picture until the last minute really hoping I'd see a shark. I didn't.... that was the only disappointing part.
Back on board the Aida Maria
Laura and I decided to jump from the boat! It was very scary and she jumped without me! But she counted to three for me and I got the nerve. We did it a couple more times after that and I was just as scared but eventually I stopped screaming when I jumped! Yikes!
Pulling up the anchor and setting sail for North Seymour, our last island.
I'm lucky I don't get seasick. Katie and Laura were down in their room feeling miserable as we sailed to North Seymour. I enjoyed the sunset, saw some manta rays and dolphins, and had a heart to heart or D&M (deep and meaningful) with our guide. He talked about how lonely it is to work on a ship like ours in the Galapagos. The guide and, and the crew and captain especially, are away from their families for so long!
This is the dining room we ate in every night. We ate with my Italian roommate (next to me) and the two Germans. They spoke very good English. They've been living in their car/camper and traveling around for 7 years. It was amazing to me! I love to travel but I can't quite imagine that... maybe when I'm their age.
Check out that sunburn! I think SPF 15 and lower should be illegal in Ecuador, especially in the Galapagos! I actually wore SPF 45 most of the time and I still got burned.... on my feet, calves, thighs, hands, chest, shoulders, and face! It was pretty painful! The sun is particularly strong there because of the nearness to the Equator. I felt like my skin was stinging whenever I was in the sun, even with SPF 45 on. It was a very weird feeling.
Laura and I decided to jump from the boat! It was very scary and she jumped without me! But she counted to three for me and I got the nerve. We did it a couple more times after that and I was just as scared but eventually I stopped screaming when I jumped! Yikes!
Pulling up the anchor and setting sail for North Seymour, our last island.
I'm lucky I don't get seasick. Katie and Laura were down in their room feeling miserable as we sailed to North Seymour. I enjoyed the sunset, saw some manta rays and dolphins, and had a heart to heart or D&M (deep and meaningful) with our guide. He talked about how lonely it is to work on a ship like ours in the Galapagos. The guide and, and the crew and captain especially, are away from their families for so long!
This is the dining room we ate in every night. We ate with my Italian roommate (next to me) and the two Germans. They spoke very good English. They've been living in their car/camper and traveling around for 7 years. It was amazing to me! I love to travel but I can't quite imagine that... maybe when I'm their age.
Check out that sunburn! I think SPF 15 and lower should be illegal in Ecuador, especially in the Galapagos! I actually wore SPF 45 most of the time and I still got burned.... on my feet, calves, thighs, hands, chest, shoulders, and face! It was pretty painful! The sun is particularly strong there because of the nearness to the Equator. I felt like my skin was stinging whenever I was in the sun, even with SPF 45 on. It was a very weird feeling.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS DAY 2
Friday November 27, 2009
Good morning 7:00 am! We had eaten at 6:30 am and were ready to go sunscreen, sunglasses, and snorkel gear in hand. At each island we'd ride over on the dingy for an informational walk with our guide, Miguel, and then snorkeling (usually about 2 hours total).
The Galapagos Islands did not look nearly as green and tropical as I imagined. Instead it was gray, more often than not, it was barren, and I saw cacti instead of palm trees. It was mostly deciduous forest here.
Flamingos used to live in that lagoon before the sea lions and their loudness ran them off. Now, at this point on the trip I had heard "lagoon" used twice to refer to really gross looking greenish brown ponds. I thought a lagoon was supposed to be beautiful and blue....
They were so cute and so chill but they didn't seem particularly used to humans. In Spanish they are called lobos marinos (meaning marine wolves). In the Galapagos you're obviously not allowed to touch or pick up anything to take home. I just wanted to pet the sea lions and pick up sea shells so much more because I wasn't allowed to.
Good morning 7:00 am! We had eaten at 6:30 am and were ready to go sunscreen, sunglasses, and snorkel gear in hand. At each island we'd ride over on the dingy for an informational walk with our guide, Miguel, and then snorkeling (usually about 2 hours total).
Welcome to Isla Rabida
The Galapagos Islands did not look nearly as green and tropical as I imagined. Instead it was gray, more often than not, it was barren, and I saw cacti instead of palm trees. It was mostly deciduous forest here.
Flamingos used to live in that lagoon before the sea lions and their loudness ran them off. Now, at this point on the trip I had heard "lagoon" used twice to refer to really gross looking greenish brown ponds. I thought a lagoon was supposed to be beautiful and blue....
They were so cute and so chill but they didn't seem particularly used to humans. In Spanish they are called lobos marinos (meaning marine wolves). In the Galapagos you're obviously not allowed to touch or pick up anything to take home. I just wanted to pet the sea lions and pick up sea shells so much more because I wasn't allowed to.
I did a whole photo shoot of this little guy. He eventually waddled into the water! Precious!
I was very excited to snorkel! It turned out to be great snorkeling! The water was chilly but not too bad. It was still a shock the first time we got in. They took us out a ways in the dingy by some rocks and let us swim back to shore on our own. At one point I realized my bathing suit top was coming undone. Luckily I was in the back of the group because I wanted to look at everything and I caught it in time. No one got flashed thank goodness.
Laura and I. We went out to these tidal pools looking for octopi.
Cuddling marine iguanas.
This is a lava lizard (which were all over) on white coral.
Another picture of the strange and unexpected landscape....
These are American Oystercatchers.
I was very excited to snorkel! It turned out to be great snorkeling! The water was chilly but not too bad. It was still a shock the first time we got in. They took us out a ways in the dingy by some rocks and let us swim back to shore on our own. At one point I realized my bathing suit top was coming undone. Luckily I was in the back of the group because I wanted to look at everything and I caught it in time. No one got flashed thank goodness.
Welcome to
Laura and I. We went out to these tidal pools looking for octopi.
Cuddling marine iguanas.
This island was really cool. In one view you could see pelicans, crabs, marine iguanas, and sea lions. The coast reminded me of Newcastle, Australia or Achill Island, Ireland.
This is a lava lizard (which were all over) on white coral.
Another picture of the strange and unexpected landscape....
These are American Oystercatchers.
We snorkeled in the waters off Santiago too. Everything was pushed and pulled as the waves went in and out, including the sea turtles and myself. After a while Laura got out because she was cold. I was still in an area with the rest of my boat mates. I swam off to look at other things. I was still close to my boat mates but I had kind of gotten my self stuck in between some really shallow areas with high coral. I looked up and our guide was waving us in. I panicked a little and decided to head for shore even though it meant swimming over coral and rocks in a very shallow area. As I swam over it I was pulled back and forth by the waves. I was trying to hold on to the rocks but that was unsuccessful. Once I'd made it through I was very shaken up and I just wanted to get out. It was so shallow that I needed to take my flippers off to stand up. I took my flippers off and immediately lost one. I stayed in the water hunting for it for a few minutes and finally gave up accepting I wouldn't find it again because of the waves. When I reached the beach all defeated and shaky I heard one of the Swiss men announce "Anyone missing a flipper?" It was my lucky day!
Back on the boat I watched the waters and spotted (with the Captain's help) a few shark fins, a school of tuna, and some manta rays. We started sailing the four hours to Bartolome.
Back on the boat I watched the waters and spotted (with the Captain's help) a few shark fins, a school of tuna, and some manta rays. We started sailing the four hours to Bartolome.
Friday, December 4, 2009
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS DAY 1
Thursday, November 26, 2009- Thanksgiving
While the rest of you were waking up, maybe watching the Macy's Day Parade, starting to cook, etc. I was on an airplane wishing for turkey! I can't complain though because I was flying to the Galapagos Islands. I was excited but I couldn't have imagined how great it would be. We flew into the airport on Isla Baltra. That's the only thing on the island.
Originally we were taking a 3 night, 4 day trip on a boat called Guantanamera. Less than two weeks before the trip our boat had a mechanical issue and needed a new part that wouldn't arrive before our trip. The company we booked with organized for us to go on the Aida Maria instead. So after arriving in the airport Aida Maria employees picked us up. From there we took a bus, a ferry, and a taxi to Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz (about an hour trip).
Our first sea lion spotting!
After climbing under and over barbed wire and stalking some tortoises we went to an 800 meter cave. At the other end was a small restaurant. In the restaurant we were allowed to crawl into a male tortoise shell. It was really difficult trying to shimmy back into it and even harder to stand up. It was not very heavy but just cumbersome.
After our Highlands adventure we were anxious to get on the boat. Seeing the Highlands was great but I felt like the day was moving slowly and I wanted to take off on the boat. We finally got on at about 5:30pm.
The bar and where we ate our meals.
While the rest of you were waking up, maybe watching the Macy's Day Parade, starting to cook, etc. I was on an airplane wishing for turkey! I can't complain though because I was flying to the Galapagos Islands. I was excited but I couldn't have imagined how great it would be. We flew into the airport on Isla Baltra. That's the only thing on the island.
Originally we were taking a 3 night, 4 day trip on a boat called Guantanamera. Less than two weeks before the trip our boat had a mechanical issue and needed a new part that wouldn't arrive before our trip. The company we booked with organized for us to go on the Aida Maria instead. So after arriving in the airport Aida Maria employees picked us up. From there we took a bus, a ferry, and a taxi to Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz (about an hour trip).
Our first sea lion spotting!
We grabbed lunch with some other people that flew in with us, two French women, and explored Puerto Ayora before setting off at 2pm for a Highlands Tour.
We took a bus with a group of people from another boat to El Chato farm in the Highlands. It's a private property but a ton of tortoises live there. We had to stop when we came across a tortoise in the road. Our guide says to us,
“Alright all you paparazzis and mamarazzis go and take photos of your first Galapagos tortoise!”
After climbing under and over barbed wire and stalking some tortoises we went to an 800 meter cave. At the other end was a small restaurant. In the restaurant we were allowed to crawl into a male tortoise shell. It was really difficult trying to shimmy back into it and even harder to stand up. It was not very heavy but just cumbersome.
After our Highlands adventure we were anxious to get on the boat. Seeing the Highlands was great but I felt like the day was moving slowly and I wanted to take off on the boat. We finally got on at about 5:30pm.
The bar and where we ate our meals.
The Aida Maria is a sixteen person, 21 meter, boat. We explored and settled in. Katie and Laura got a room together and I ended up with a 65 year old (ish) Italian lady who didn't mind being naked in our very very small room. I was uncomfortable some of the time but other wise she was very nice. I had to talk to her VERY slowly in English but she just spouted off to me in Italian most of the time. I usually just smiled and nodded...
We had a yummy dinner and met the rest of the passengers and the guide for the trip. Our guide was Ecuadorian but I was very impressed with him because he spoke Spanish, English, and German. He also spoke some Italian and French. He was not the usual guide but a freelance, hired for like 10 days solely because he spoke German.
2 Germans
6 Swiss people
2 French people
2 Mexican girls
1 Italian women
Us 3 Chicas Americanas
After looking at the schedule for the next couple days and hearing how much snorkeling we were doing I was very disappointed I hadn't thought to bring an underwater camera. I was complaining to our guide and he solved my problem. He needed to go back into town and offered to take me with him so I could buy an underwater camera. I was so thankful. His plan was to take the Aida Maria dingy on the way there and a water taxi on the way back. I thought the concept of a water taxi was funny and I wondered how much they cost. We didn't end up needing it so I'm still wondering.
We started sailing that night at midnight to Isla Rabida.
2 Germans
6 Swiss people
2 French people
2 Mexican girls
1 Italian women
Us 3 Chicas Americanas
After looking at the schedule for the next couple days and hearing how much snorkeling we were doing I was very disappointed I hadn't thought to bring an underwater camera. I was complaining to our guide and he solved my problem. He needed to go back into town and offered to take me with him so I could buy an underwater camera. I was so thankful. His plan was to take the Aida Maria dingy on the way there and a water taxi on the way back. I thought the concept of a water taxi was funny and I wondered how much they cost. We didn't end up needing it so I'm still wondering.
We started sailing that night at midnight to Isla Rabida.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Home Sweet Home
I got back to the states at 5:30 this morning after flying through the night. My flight was originally supposed to be at 9:10 am December 2nd. Delta moved it up nine hours and instead I took off at 12:20 am December 2nd. I had a lot of much appreciated packing help from Laura, Katie, and Lauren.
I was pretty hungry on the way home and since I've been fantasizing about Chick-Fil-A for a while now we stopped for chicken biscuit on the way home! I promptly came home and watched an episode of house and passed out on the couch the rest of the day.
It's been so wonderful and relaxing to be home with family! We had a good quality game of Nertz. Turns out I didn't look my skill in the last three months. I had a delicious dinner and good conversation....
However, I'm unshowered and I'm still wearing a shirt with syrup on it. I guess that's what happens when you eat pancakes at 2:00am in the dark while watching a movie. It's time I clean up and go to bed.
I am so happy to be home and I'm really looking forward to the holidays. In between finishing my school work, blogging about the Galapagos (starting tomorrow), job searching, and scrap booking I intend to put up Christmas decorations and help Christmas shop!
It turned out to be much harder to leave Ecuador than I imagined! It was tough to say good bye to the kids. They said some really nice things about me and some really funny things as well. "Have a nice life in your country." They made me a t-shirt. One kid wrote "Nat Nats. You're the best." I didn't cry until one teacher teared up and then I had a hard time keeping it together!
Everyone preferred to say "See you later" and "I know you'll be back." We will see... but right now it's not in the plans.
Believe me. I have plans. I will just have to wait and see if God and I have the same plans about the next few years.
I was pretty hungry on the way home and since I've been fantasizing about Chick-Fil-A for a while now we stopped for chicken biscuit on the way home! I promptly came home and watched an episode of house and passed out on the couch the rest of the day.
It's been so wonderful and relaxing to be home with family! We had a good quality game of Nertz. Turns out I didn't look my skill in the last three months. I had a delicious dinner and good conversation....
However, I'm unshowered and I'm still wearing a shirt with syrup on it. I guess that's what happens when you eat pancakes at 2:00am in the dark while watching a movie. It's time I clean up and go to bed.
I am so happy to be home and I'm really looking forward to the holidays. In between finishing my school work, blogging about the Galapagos (starting tomorrow), job searching, and scrap booking I intend to put up Christmas decorations and help Christmas shop!
It turned out to be much harder to leave Ecuador than I imagined! It was tough to say good bye to the kids. They said some really nice things about me and some really funny things as well. "Have a nice life in your country." They made me a t-shirt. One kid wrote "Nat Nats. You're the best." I didn't cry until one teacher teared up and then I had a hard time keeping it together!
Everyone preferred to say "See you later" and "I know you'll be back." We will see... but right now it's not in the plans.
Believe me. I have plans. I will just have to wait and see if God and I have the same plans about the next few years.
Check back tomorrow for Galapagos details!
TOMS Shoes
So I've decided if I can't find a teaching job I intend to advertise for TOMS shoes. I fully support this company. When TOMS shoes first came out I noticed the burlap shoes some people were wearing that fall. It wasn't until I was home for Easter and I saw a documentary on TOMS shoes that I really fell in love and understood exactly how much I love them. This is a short version of the TOMS history.
Check out thier website and the company's mission. Please consider buying TOMS shoes this holiday season and making someone less fortunate very happy with a new pair of shoes!
Their slogan is ONE FOR ONE. With every pair purchased, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what they're all about.
why shoes?
Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.
Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot.
Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.
Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
There is one simple solution...SHOES.
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