second time around

Quito was a fun city to see, though at 9000+ feet I did have some altitude effect. Slight headache, and short of wind. They export roses here, so 2 dozen run about $1.50. The hotel had amazing arrangements of 10-12 dozen perfect roses! We saw the churches, plazas, and the Equatorial Memorial. Note the equator picture: Our love crosses the hemispheres.
Sunday the 19th we flew over to Baltra Island and boarded the cruise ship. There are 92 guests, and the ship is very nice, quite luxurious. All the food and drinks are included. We have been on two excursions every day, guided by naturalists who explain the flora and fauna. The animals have no fear of man, so they are right next to the trails, and don’t fly away even as we get very close. We saw Blue footed Boobies, Frigate birds, Sea Lions, Marine Iguanas, Land Iguanas, Galapagos Lava Lizards, many small Finches and Flycatchers. We stood about 8 feet from the pair of Galapagos Hawks which are the top of the local food chain. It was quite amazing to see these up close.
Yesterday and today we are snorkeling at the different Islands. The ship sails sometimes during day and sometimes at night. The snorkeling gear includes a shorty wetsuit, so it is very comfortable in the water which is 72-75 degrees. We are seeing lots of reef fish, as well as Sea Lions, Turtles and Octopus.
Snorkeling with the Green Sea Turtles today was great, they just ease around and munch on the algae growing on the volcanic rock. Very little coral here, but the rock formations are incredible . Today we saw the Giant Galapagos Tortoise up very close, and herds of large Marine Iguanas. Every island has its own unique set of interesting things to see and do.
At night when it is clear the stars are pretty impressive. I can’t quite see the Milky Way, but the stars are Bright!. Saw the Southern Cross as well as the usual constellations. When we are anchored at night the ship’s lights attract the flying fish which in turn brings Sea Lions and Sharks swimming around the ship. I did get to swim with both turtles and Sea Lions, but did not see any sharks while I was in the water. Now we are waiting in the Quito airport for our flight to Lima and on to Cusco tomorrow.

So now I begin to think it was the 9000 foot elevation that had me puffing and lightheaded on the high plateaus of Utah, who would have thunk it? Taking it real easy in the hotel room in downtown Quito, getting acclimated. I had a great time in the Bay area. Met up with old friends; Ed, Joy, Griff, Lynne and even Bill English whom I hadn’t seen since college in the dark ages. We ate, drank and laughed ’til I had tears on my face. So many stories I had forgotten (repressed) from those days.
We went over to Half-Moon Bay, and had a nice little walk along the cliff and lunch. It was overcast and chilly, but nice. Unfortunately there was no surf to watch, I had hoped for a glimpse of some big waves at Mavericks. Sunday was sunny and we went to the FILOLI Gardens, then met for a burger at the Oasis, the best burgers in the Bay area. Monday Griff and I went up to the Muir Woods National Park just north of the City. It was beautiful, with the sun filtering through the high tree canopy. The Redwoods are taller and thinner than the Giant Sequoias of Yosemite area. It was somewhat crowded, but a sight to behold none the less. We stopped in to Ton Kiang Dim Sum restaurant for lunch, superb! If you get to San Francisco try it out, on Geary Blvd. at 22nd.
I had a few very fast days at home, to get cleaned up, do paperwork and repack for the flight to Quito. Tomorrow we get the city tour here, then Sunday on to the Galapagos.

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On up to Arches National Park was an easy drive, we went directly to Delicate Arch. After a brief stop at the far viewing point we went to the trailhead. They advertise it as a strenuous hike and mean it. ... [Continue reading this entry]

I have missed a few days, but trust me they were busy and wonderful. The drive down to Reno was good, some back roads and light traffic. Memorial day we drove the long flat road to Salt Lake City, got ... [Continue reading this entry]