This is Galapagos!

IMG_5899, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Perhaps, this is the only place that you can be so close to the wildlife. I swan with the sea lions, walking on the lava, taking lots of pics of tortoise, iguanas, blue foot boobies.

I went to different islands in eight days. Even though the engine of the ship broken down and we wasted one day, there are still lots to see.

Check the pics adn you will see how wonderful Galapagos is!

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.