Galapagos Wind Down

Yesterday we visited the Charles Darwin center and took in yet another exhibit on the unique geology of the Galapagos. Then we met more tortoises that we being bred so as to "repatriate," the islands back to a time before colonists, pirates and an environmental movement. Afterwards we visited a huge lava flow-cave that took about 15 minutes to walk through. There were some parts that were so low that we had to crawl on our bellies. It was slippery, a bit unnerving and altogether amazine.

Later we wandered through a huge field that sported tortoises whose line had never gone extinct. Perhaps it was a confluence of living on an island with no natural water source (unlike Floreana and San Cristobal) which had discouraged the arrival of 16th century pirates and such. After lunch I took a 40 minute walk to a beach which sees very few tourists (due to the long walk). It had the whitest smoothest sand and perfect waves. I swam a bunch and then borrowed a friend's boogie board so as to seriously ride some of those delicious waves.

After a final dinner which featured a big hunk of tuna on a lava rock (which enabled one to cook it as little or as much as they desired), we had sea lion honking contests and called it a night. Today was largely dedicated to getting back to Quito. The trip involved a taxi to the edge of Santa Cruz Island, a short ferry to Baltra Island, a bus to the airport, a plane ride to Guayaquil, refueling the plane, another plane ride to Quito, a short bus ride to the terminal, and a van ride back to the hotel.

I can't believe that in a couple of days I'll be returning to winter rains and cold. I'm not ready.