Arrival at Galapagos Island

DSCN0107, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

In Puerto Ayora, I met a Isral guy, Matan. He helped me out to find a hostel and I´m sharing the room with him for a cheaper rate.

My plan is to find a last minutes offer for a 8 days boat trip. So, I go to every travel agent to look for the best deal. But, it is Sunday and some of the travel agents has closed.

And the offers I heard is out of my expectation and budget. So, I decided to wait for one more day. Although, Matan has signed in one but for US$750.

The next day, I stepped in the travel agent which is recommended by the guidebook. She is very nice and helped me out for the last minutes deal. She made a lot of phone calls and find that all the boat is full for this week. And the latest offer is 10 days later.

Wait! I don´t expect waiting for so long. I am very nervous and don´t know what to do. If I stay here for 10 more days, my travel plan will have to change which I don´t want. But, I cannot go without this boat trip. It is definitely one of the place where I dreamed of.

I cannot make the decision and I just went to othe travel agent to see if there is any luck.

A guy from the other travel agent called me and said there is a place left! Finally, I make the deal with the same boat as Matan and paying US$20 more.

So, the total cost for Galapagos Island is:

USD320 Air Ticket
USD100 National Park Fee
USD770 8 day Boat Trip

USD1,190 in total

I will be on boat from 31 Oct to 7 Nov. So, share pics with you when I´m back!

Galapagos Island

IMG_5689, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is the place where wildlife do not fear human...

And, Charles Darwin came here in 1853 to study wildlife and his observation lead him to his theory evolution.

This is a magic place indeed. Check out the photos, all of them are taken in the city park or just the beach nearby.

BBQ night

DSCN0103, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

After returning from Latacunga, I have nothing to do in the afternoon and the weather is no good. So, I go to have Sauna! Cool!

We had BBQ dinner in the hostel. But, what do you expect for BBQ night? Sorry! Burger only!

Laguna Quilotoa

Me + Laguna Quilotoa, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It takes two hour drive to the Laguna Quilotoa. On the way, there are several volcano visible including one coming out smoke!

Laguna Quilotoa is a lake formed in the crater of a volcano at 4000m height. I walked down to the water level and go up by taking donkey. This is my first time riding a donkey and the experience is not bad!

Strange Fruit found in the Latacunga market

Strange Fruit found in the Latacunga market, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Finally, I have chance to eat the fruit that I saw in the market. It looks like passion fruit and its taste not bad.

By the way, I have amend the "comment¨" function and now you can see your comment right after you publish them.

Don´t know how to make yr comment? Just click on the "Comment" below the article will do.

If you click on the title of individual article, all the comment will be displayed.

And you can forward the article to others by clicking the envelope icon.

Cotopaxi

IMG_5502, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

5897m height, the highest active volcano in the earth. And it also has a beautiful cone shape!

Right after visiting the market, the jeep drop us at 4,000m height and start walking. Which is also the highest point I have ever been.

It should be a easy walk for 2-3 hrs and going uphill for total another 300m.

As usual, the cloud always block our view. But the scenary along the path is still very nice.

And, I am the slowest member in the tour group.

Saguisili

IMG_5519, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is a Thursday market which for the indigenous villagers. I found it may be similiar to our Yuen Long in the old days.

Different areas are divided fro pigs, sheep, cows, chicken and... pls check out my pics and see what else they sold.

For the villagers, their hats are quite interesting.

Latacunga

DSCN0069, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

There are a lot of bad stories about the situation of the terminal in Quito for bus heading to Latacunga. But, I feel safe in the bus now and waiting for its departure.

On the way, the bus pass through the Volcano Cotopaxi, 5897m, great bus ride with good views. It takes 1.5 hours.

Latacunga is a little town with an interesting market. I found white corn, and some other fruit which I have never seen before, check my pics.

Doesn´t speak Spanish is a big headache for me. But you know, body talks. So, things still get smooth at the end.

By the way, when you see my pics through the map. You may need to click on the "+" button so that the places would not grouped together.

My Start

My parents at the airport, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is my day 1 and it is a long day.

My parents took me to the airport and it is the first time of my life! So sweet!

It took 12 hours to cross the Pacific Ocean to LA. Due to the time diff., 15 hrs, I arrived on the same day, i.e. still 22 Oct 2006.

Then, another 5 hours flight to Miami with 3 hours time diff. I arrived at 7:30 early morning of 23 Oct 2006and have 8 hours to kill before my next flight.

For another 4 hours, I finally reach my starting point, Quito of Ecuador, after 31 hours.

Some background, Quito is located 2850m above sea level as said in the guide book. I spend one day in the old town and it feel like a big Macau!

Have a look on my pics.

寫在出發之前

Life is.., originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

小時候，我第一本親自購買的書，封面是 一隻綠色的樹蛙，色彩鮮艷。驚嘆著世界上竟然有著這樣的生物，陌生而好奇。曾幻想在亞馬遜森林中如蛇一般的河流，還會遇上甚麼？樹，可以有多高？在一 望無際的沙漠中，又會是甚麼樣的感受呢？冰天雪地裡，作為鳥類的企鵝，羽毛觸摸時又會有甚麼感覺呢？

成長，容易使人忘記。

還記得小學的社會教科書中，父親工作回家，母親拿出剛弄好的晚餐，兒子在飯桌等待吃飯。有時，深深相信，自己理想的生命，也非得這樣如此不可。

人生，究竟會走上甚麼的路，年少時總會過份自信。日子過去，遇過不同的人，了解身邊不同的事，漸漸明白昔日自以為是，蠻幼稚的。

或者，人生就如河流中的漂浮的枯葉，由河水帶著漂流，究竟是卡在石隙中，抑或是直流到汪洋大河，除了葉子本身丁點兒的浮力以外，還主要看老天爺怎麼對待你。當然，一帆風順的葉子，也不一定是幸福的。

不知為甚麼，自己總是走著跟別人不一樣的路。年少時心高氣傲，老是以為自己與眾不同，倒還情有可原。現在，上天又再次給我機會，讓我不得不暫時離開固有的生活，去踏足一下世界上那些陌生的土地。

僅希望在這個Blog中，可以讓家人以及關心我的朋友，了解我旅行的近況。在旅途中，希望有機會的時候，可以把相片與故事跟大家分享，但我恐怕我以後不得不用英文。

Sorry that this article is in Chinese, the upcoming blogs will be in English.