[Jules]

Thursday was travel day and all our dive kit and luggage was ferried across to the jetty at Baltra where we had embarked 10 days previously.

We had seen so muich wild life both above and below the water line and the only thing that the twitchers were short of was a opportunity to see blue footed boobies (featured on most Galapagos t shirts)

So just as though planned there were a few of them sitting on the rocks as we arrived.



So they got snapped



We sat for a long time at Baltra airport waiting for our flight to Guyaquil (where Gary and Kathy were leaving us) and onto Quito.

And then there were 14…

The rest of us arrive back at our hotel in Quito later that day feeling like it had been a lot more than 10 days since we had left it, so much had happened.

That evening we went out for another relaxing meal (Ribs) and beers this time since Quito was no longer dry.

On Friday and Saturday I had booked trips with a local tour operator to Cotapaxi national park and Otavalo Market. A number of the group had elected to join me so on Friday morning a group of us were again up early and waiting for a bus…

The scenary on the way to the national park was lovely and on arrival we set out on foot to do a short acclimatisation walk looking at the flora and fauna.





This was followed by a short bus trip to walk higher up the side of the volcano.

Altitude is a funny thing and to be honest I didn’t react well to it. After about the half the required distance I felt decided unwell and had tunnel vision. The terrain was challenging, like soft sandy beach but at an angle and all the while the altitude means you can’t get a decent breath. I wasn’t the only one wishing for stage of 80%! Actually 32% would have been fine too!


Pic shows Jenny , john , 2X another, Jane

After feeling decidedly odd I decided not to continue so Good effort to everyone who made it further than I did! Including John, who is a little more senior than myself! Whilst we were on the volcano there was some thunder and a brief shower of snow and hail.

A few people wer more than a little tired after their volcano bashing and needed a wee snooze on the way home


Note Ken who got the prize for most original sleeping pose.

Whilst we had been out Fiona had departed and was on her way to machu pichu.

On Saturday we visited Otavalo Market which is the largest craft market in south America, according to the guide books. It was very colourful and lots of great things to buy if you didn’t already have waaaay too much stuff.





The otavalo people are very petite. When we were queuing for the ladies loo I noticed that I was the tallest one there!!!

On the way back we stopped at the leather town (Can’t recall the name now.. I am sure someone will tell me) and the stuff was amazing quality and really cheap. I only had room for two handbags but could have shopped a lot more!



On the Sunday the remaining group flew home via Bonaire where we left Jason, john, Jane and Ken. Who were going for some easy diving on the way home. We then flew onto Amsterdam, snatching a little snooze on the way. Jenny had the misfortune to be sat next to the two smelliest men in the world and managed to negotiate a seat swap.

I left the others at 6am to get my flight to Manchester.

On return to my home country the Customs and excise dogs seemed very interested in my dive bag (which had been packed and festering for over three days). After a short chap with the customs man he decided to believe me and not investigate it any further.

My best mate met me at the airport and asked me if I had a good trip. I couldn’t even start to say…


Jules