Ecuador Trip Part 5: Mindo

The day after flying back to Quito, I had the opportunity to visit the Mindo Cloud Forest about 1 1/2 hours NW of Quito. The Cloud Forest is similar to a rain forest, but a little cooler. On the trip, we hiked to a waterfall, visited an orchid farm, and visited a butterfly garden. The huge variety of plants was amazing! We also got to see dozens of beautiful hummingbirds and hundreds of butterflies.

Ecuador Trip Part 4: bartolome Island

The next day we got up at 4:30 a.m., got back on the same boat and took a three hour boat ride to Bartolome Island. On Bartolome Island, I saw more frigate birds, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, and marine iguanas. My group to a hike of about 360 stairs to the very top of the island. The view from there was absolutely stunning! After our hike we went down to one of the beaches and went snorkeling. While snorkeling, I got to swim with a white-tipped reef shark, a penguin, and thousands of tropical fish. It was one of the coolest things I have ever done! The underwater pictures where taken with an underwater disposable camera so the picture quality is not great, but it's better than nothing.

Tropical Fish

White-Tipped Reef Shark

Penguin

Colorful Fish

More Penguins

View From Bartolome

Pinnacle Rock


Sally-Lightfoot Crab

Volcanic Island


Galapagos Sunrise

Ecuador Trip Part 3: North Seymour Island

The next day I visited North Seymour Island. It was about a one hour boat ride from Santa Cruz Island. One the way to the island, I saw frigate birds, petrels, pelicans, and rays jumping out of the water. On the island itself, I was able to see more frigate birds, tons of blue-footed boobies, many other birds, marine iguanas, sea lions, and two land iguanas. It was amazing how close you could get to the animals. I had one blue-footed booby get within one foot of me!

Our boat the Poseidon

Sea Lion

Frigate Bird chick

Blue-Footed Booby feet

Blue-Footed Booby

Blue-Footed Booby chick

Blue-Footed Booby


Pelican

Sea Lion on a buoy

Ecuador Trip Part 2: Santa Cruz Island

The next day, my group and I flew from Quito to Baltra Island in the Galapagos. From there we took a bus then a ferry and then another bus to our hotel in the town of Peurto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. After a quick stop at the hotel, we walked to the Charles Darwin Research Station. It was an amazing tour. I got to see lava lizards, marine iguanas, birds, land iguanas, giant tortoises, and even Lonesome George!

Land Iguana

Galapagos Tortoise

Lonesome George

Small Yellow Bird

Lava Lizard




Marine Iguana




Ferry Ride

Santa Cruz Island Highlands

Ecuador Trip Part 1: Cotopaxi

Well I made it back home safely from my trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and what an amazing trip it was. It was one of the most amazing 9 days of my life. All in all, I took over 950 pictures. I'll be posting some of my favorites here in four (maybe 5) posts. The first installment is pictures form Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is the 2nd tallest mountain in Ecuador and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world at an impressive 19, 347 feet. The park was very cool, even though the weather was uncooperative. There were many things to see, including many native flowers and wild horses.

Out Of Town

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be out of town until the 18th. It's finally time for me to leave for my Quito, Ecuador/Galapagos Islands Trip. I'm so excited! I'll post some pictures of my trip when I get back.