Emily Steinnagel's Journal
The Islands
20-Sep-2008
So today I just got back from the 4 day island tour! It was great. The tour itīs self was a little shady but thatīs Ecuador for ya! But the sights were fantastic. We did a lot of snorkeling and saw many many giant land tortises! The tour started at San Cristobal and went to Floreana for the day. Then we went to Isabela for 2 nights. Isabela was beautiful. I was a like a little beach town. On the way there I saw a wonderful sunset and a pod of dolphins! The snorkeling was nice but often there were strong currents so it was hard to take pictures. Oh, that and my mask was leaking. So I learned the hard way, always bring your own mask!!! From Isabela we went to Santa Cruz. This is a uber-touristy island and the island with the largets population. The hostels we stayed in were nice... they had hot water!! WOO HOO But at the second hostel (on Santa Cruz) I pulled a Katie... I was trying to open our door and I broke the key off in the door. Ugh, but luckily we got it out with a tweezers and we could shower!
While on the tour, I sawm with more sea lions and saw a few turtles! Also, the fish are huge here! I saw the biggest parrot fish I have ever seen. I have video of him eating :). We also went to a Galapagera which is where they breed land tortises. That was cool. Those things are HUGE!! I have some cool pictures. Oh and guess what.... guess who I saw... Lonesome George!!!!!!!!!! It was like watching the discovery channel. But he isnīt so Lonesome anymore... there were 2 ladies in his corral... wink wink. They are trying to breed him with another species but we still arenīt sure if they eggs are viabile yet. But still so cool to see him!!!
I didnīt get sea sick either. I thought I would the boat was pretty small and the seas pretty rough but I must be a good sailor! I could handle it! Also, when we were docking I felt as thought I should hop off like I do when we are sailing and helping tie off the boat but I would have got some funny looks if I did that I bet. It was a great time all in all. Lots of meat too. Wow. I havenīt eaten that much meant/fish in the past 3 months and in the past 4 days I had it for almost every lunch and dinner. But the fish is fantastic! Iīve have 2 WONDERFUL cuts of tuna, just tasty!
I know there is probably more from the tour but right now I canīt think. My brain is a little fried from the sun (when we had it). I have some sort of tan but it isnīt very sunny in the Galapagos this time of year. But I have left my watch on so I have proof of some color!
Well, we are coming down to the tail end of things here. I have one more proper week of work left. Then a few days and Iīm in Quito on my way home (Thatīs Wednesday Oct 1). I just canīt believe that 3 months is almost done. And I canīt believe that I did it. I really did it! Itīs been a amazing ride and I wouldnīt trade it for anything!
Love you all and see you soon!
So of course I remembered things that I wanted to add.
1) Marine iguanas sneeze salt! HAHA They live in colonies and usually all sneeze together too. They have to sneeze salt because they have such a high salt diet. Oh man, its funny.
2) Sea lions sound like humans. I may have mentioned this fact before but last night I spent about half an hour just watching the sea lions and they sneeze, have smokers caugh and burp just like humans! It is hilarious!!!
I tired to upload pictures again but I got rejected again... so sorry. But know that I tried...
Previous Entry: "Thank you, Lady" 14-Sep-2008
20-Sep-2008
So today I just got back from the 4 day island tour! It was great. The tour itīs self was a little shady but thatīs Ecuador for ya! But the sights were fantastic. We did a lot of snorkeling and saw many many giant land tortises! The tour started at San Cristobal and went to Floreana for the day. Then we went to Isabela for 2 nights. Isabela was beautiful. I was a like a little beach town. On the way there I saw a wonderful sunset and a pod of dolphins! The snorkeling was nice but often there were strong currents so it was hard to take pictures. Oh, that and my mask was leaking. So I learned the hard way, always bring your own mask!!! From Isabela we went to Santa Cruz. This is a uber-touristy island and the island with the largets population. The hostels we stayed in were nice... they had hot water!! WOO HOO But at the second hostel (on Santa Cruz) I pulled a Katie... I was trying to open our door and I broke the key off in the door. Ugh, but luckily we got it out with a tweezers and we could shower!
While on the tour, I sawm with more sea lions and saw a few turtles! Also, the fish are huge here! I saw the biggest parrot fish I have ever seen. I have video of him eating :). We also went to a Galapagera which is where they breed land tortises. That was cool. Those things are HUGE!! I have some cool pictures. Oh and guess what.... guess who I saw... Lonesome George!!!!!!!!!! It was like watching the discovery channel. But he isnīt so Lonesome anymore... there were 2 ladies in his corral... wink wink. They are trying to breed him with another species but we still arenīt sure if they eggs are viabile yet. But still so cool to see him!!!
I didnīt get sea sick either. I thought I would the boat was pretty small and the seas pretty rough but I must be a good sailor! I could handle it! Also, when we were docking I felt as thought I should hop off like I do when we are sailing and helping tie off the boat but I would have got some funny looks if I did that I bet. It was a great time all in all. Lots of meat too. Wow. I havenīt eaten that much meant/fish in the past 3 months and in the past 4 days I had it for almost every lunch and dinner. But the fish is fantastic! Iīve have 2 WONDERFUL cuts of tuna, just tasty!
I know there is probably more from the tour but right now I canīt think. My brain is a little fried from the sun (when we had it). I have some sort of tan but it isnīt very sunny in the Galapagos this time of year. But I have left my watch on so I have proof of some color!
Well, we are coming down to the tail end of things here. I have one more proper week of work left. Then a few days and Iīm in Quito on my way home (Thatīs Wednesday Oct 1). I just canīt believe that 3 months is almost done. And I canīt believe that I did it. I really did it! Itīs been a amazing ride and I wouldnīt trade it for anything!
Love you all and see you soon!
So of course I remembered things that I wanted to add.
1) Marine iguanas sneeze salt! HAHA They live in colonies and usually all sneeze together too. They have to sneeze salt because they have such a high salt diet. Oh man, its funny.
2) Sea lions sound like humans. I may have mentioned this fact before but last night I spent about half an hour just watching the sea lions and they sneeze, have smokers caugh and burp just like humans! It is hilarious!!!
I tired to upload pictures again but I got rejected again... so sorry. But know that I tried...
Previous Entry: "Thank you, Lady" 14-Sep-2008
