Shishi

Hi!

Its been a while... ah ?

I´ve just realized that I did not even write about the Galapagos... and there is a lot to tell...

Well... Where do I begin...?

The Galapagos was amazing. I started with a 8 days tour... where you go visiting 7'8 different Iceland with different (well... sometimes not so different) animals. While I was waiting for the boat at the port I got to see a huge turtle, a big Manta ray, a shark, sea lion and have followed a pelican for a while...(and a cat) . I was so excited ...

After the  quick disappointment from the boat (the agency showed me completely different pictures of a lot fancier boat. yes- they lie sometimes. ) We started the cruise.

Its a shame that the internet connection here is show shity, because a few pictures could have saved we a few thousands words... I will upload later. but I dont think even the pictures can pass the amazing nature we got to see on these days. the islands where created by a few eruptions of a hotspot.  so it started basically as lava. and there are a few islands that are all lava... and its really amazing... and huge cactus trees and amazing beaches... and the animals... walking on a beach with groups of seals and sea lions (dont tell anyone. but I did not really get which is which yet. and I¨ve seen a few) , Marin Iguanas (its actually huge iguanas that swim and dive up to 10 minutes and they eat sea weed), and the different birds... and snorkeling with sharks and mantas and seals and turtles...  you know what... I will find a place to upload the pictures because I could really go on for thousands words... I have to say that as gicky as it sounds, I really recommend to see the National geographic film on Galapagos. I watched a few pieces of it and its really great and covers it. well... I really recommend coming over and experiencing... but for those how dont feel like it...

The boat it self was pretty disappointing, we did not have warm water all the time and the crew was not so nice... which was a really surprise because with the prices they charge... they have a pretty high standard there... and staying in a boat with another 15 people for 8 days... I have to admit that at one point I had enough of blue footed boobies, seals (or was it sea lions? ) and I was sure that the girls were kidding when on the 8th day I still heard the high voice ¨ho... a seal... ¨ with a sigh ... 

The diving was a little disappointing. specially because its so expansive... and I wasnt very lucky . I mean it was nice... and I did get to see some stuff... but I was going for the hammerhead sharks... and I only got to see them fading away...

but I  wrote that just so you will not get too jealous.

after the cruise I spent some more time on the main island, and visited another Iceland... I just could not get enough... and it was really really great.

on the last day (there were a few last days, but I kept postponing) I was snorkeling in one of the most amazing beaches Ive ever been to... (and it was also almost empty for the days I was there) and while snorkeling to the sound of the great Radiohead Album in rainbows I got to see a huge manta ray, a few sharks, turtles mating a huge eagle ray iguana swimming and some fish… I decided that Im ready to leave. and than my underwater headphone stopped working... god decided to make it clear! so I moved on.

From the Galapagos I went to Montanita, a beach town . (the Ecuadorian Puerto viejo for those who know...)  I was supposed to cover the Ecuadorian beaches. they have a few really nice ones... so I heard...

The really surprising part on this trip is that I find myself enjoying the highland,the amazing Andes, more than the beaches. or maybe it was because I was after almost 3 weeks in the Galapagos. which is all sea... but after 3 days I just packed early in the morning and skipped the shoreline of ecaudor,spending over a day in buses, and got to Vilcabamba. I was supposed to spend a couple of days there as  a stop on the way to Peru. and again... I changed the plans...

I have to admit that I was thinking about staying there... this place is amazing... its very famous as the ¨long living village because you can see a lot of people there over 100 years..and they function.  I actualy meet a 94 years old guy working his land... 

I read that they had made some researches over the years to try and figure out the reason. and found nothing. I think its obvious. the place is absolutely amazing. and the hostel I got to was just amazing... all green gardens with amazing flowers (the owners are gardeners) humming birds, and I different birds. I also saw one scrawl. . a view over the amazing valley... hammocks everywhere... small swimming pool... the moment I got there it was so relaxing. I spend over an hour , sunset time just admiring the view. and I did that a lot...  and just from the hostel there they set a few trails that you can just go and hike for as long as you like. I had a few amazing hikes.

I was actually thinking about doing some volunteer work here... as I am looking for an opportunity... and this place really got me... but after I went to town and talked to some people I¨ve realized  that I am not the first to discover it...the all town is gringos.. you can hardly find local people... apparently American and European people  bought most of the land there... so after a little more than a week I think... I moved on to Peru...

Well… Im gona  stop here because we are all very tired. I will just tell you that Im having a great time… here too… ¨but I will right in more details later…

And have a Happy New Year…

Shishi

P.S

I did upload before a few pictures from the Galapagos...

http://picasaweb.google.com/shimritashraf/Galapagos#

but I will try to upload more...

Enjoy