Author: Unknown
Location: Mitad del Mundo- "The Middle of the Word"
On our way home to Quito we stopped at Mitad del Mundo- "The Middle of the World"- visitor spot. It was a short visit but awesome to see where both northern and southern hemispheres meet right in the middle at the equator. It was a wonderful way to wrap up the trip. With one foot planted on the one side we had visited for the last 3 weeks and one foot planted on the side towards home.
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The following poem was written by Niki as we headed out to Bartolome Island to snorkel for the day. Niki explained to us it was about the ocean.
"Untitled"
She tastes like sea salt and grenadine
Her eyes are a mix of the sky and the ocean
In her words hide secrets that she shares with no one
With skin like pale sand
And a face that know dark things
Her touch is like the waves,
And her temper is the same
Often loved, but not often contained
Needing something far greater
She'll search a strangers eyes
On a quest for forever.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Day 18
Author: Jackie
Location: Mindo- Watefall Hike
Today we ventured up to the cloud forest to visit beautiful waterfalls. The difficult hike was well worth the exquisite views. In addition, to the "Casadas" (waterfalls) we saw many different varieties of exotic endemic plants and animal species. Highlights- we saw a pair of vivid green toucans, along with wild endemic species of orange begonias growing right beside the falls. At lunch time half of the group went back to the hostel, while an adventurous half continued on to the last waterfall. Once at the waterfall all of us decided to cool off with a swim. However the water was ice cold and our limbs quickly became covered in goose bumps. Even the most daring of us could not stand the cold water long. Once of the water we got ready and hiked back to the hostel. After we enjoyed a relaxing siesta we had dinner over at our favorite local spot. We ended the evening with a deep conversation about what we have all learned about ourselves and our surroundings on this journey.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Location: Mindo- Watefall Hike
Today we ventured up to the cloud forest to visit beautiful waterfalls. The difficult hike was well worth the exquisite views. In addition, to the "Casadas" (waterfalls) we saw many different varieties of exotic endemic plants and animal species. Highlights- we saw a pair of vivid green toucans, along with wild endemic species of orange begonias growing right beside the falls. At lunch time half of the group went back to the hostel, while an adventurous half continued on to the last waterfall. Once at the waterfall all of us decided to cool off with a swim. However the water was ice cold and our limbs quickly became covered in goose bumps. Even the most daring of us could not stand the cold water long. Once of the water we got ready and hiked back to the hostel. After we enjoyed a relaxing siesta we had dinner over at our favorite local spot. We ended the evening with a deep conversation about what we have all learned about ourselves and our surroundings on this journey.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Monday, July 28, 2008
Day 17
Author: Danielle and Grace
Location: Mindo Cloud Forest- Hummingbird Center
Today we arrived in the Mindo, a cloud forest and visited the hummingbird/ butterfly sanctuary it was absolutely amazing. Hummingbirds are so tiny, yet they have so much energy. They are tiny miracles, as they dart above our heads. We can hear the buzzing of their wings and see the beating of their hearts. It was a life changing experience for me (Danielle). After the hummingbird center we dove into the river near our hostel and had a bubble bath. This day was relaxing and calming, it was perfect day and perfect place to wind down and reflect as we swung on the hammocks.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Location: Mindo Cloud Forest- Hummingbird Center
Today we arrived in the Mindo, a cloud forest and visited the hummingbird/ butterfly sanctuary it was absolutely amazing. Hummingbirds are so tiny, yet they have so much energy. They are tiny miracles, as they dart above our heads. We can hear the buzzing of their wings and see the beating of their hearts. It was a life changing experience for me (Danielle). After the hummingbird center we dove into the river near our hostel and had a bubble bath. This day was relaxing and calming, it was perfect day and perfect place to wind down and reflect as we swung on the hammocks.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Day 15
Author: Monica
Location: Snorkel Day at Kicker Rocker and Isla Lobos
After working so hard all week we were so excited to go snorkeling for a day. Also it was Sarah's Birthday so everybody woke up in a festive spirit singing Happy Birthday throughout breakfast. To our surprise our boat was upgraded to a large size catamaran that allowed us to all spread our towels and suntan on the way to our destination- Kicker Rock. Kicker Rock is known as one of best places to see the Galapagos sharks and if you are lucky get a glimpse of the Hammer Head shark. Kicker Rock is absolutely amazing, it is 2 massive separate rocks over 350ft tall towing above the water. We had the chance to snorkel through a large crack in the rock and observe below us the exciting sight of sharks swimming around us. At first glance they would surface a bit and then descend deeper out of sight and then return we were all totally amazed to have the chance to swim with sharks. After Kicker Rocker we docked the boat near San Cristobal Island for lunch. During lunch some of the girls had a 'dance off' with another boat near us to see which boat had the best moves Also we gave Sarah a fake birthday spanking which is a traditional part of a Ecuadorian birthday celebration. Then we headed over to Isla Lobos (Sea Lion Island) to swim with the sea lions and check out marine iguanas feeding underwater. To celebrate our last night in the islands and Sarah's birthday we went out to dinner at a great pizza restaurant. We concluded the night with a delicious cake and a small ceremony held by Johnny from the National Park who passed out diplomas to thank us for all our had work in the Islands.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Location: Snorkel Day at Kicker Rocker and Isla Lobos
After working so hard all week we were so excited to go snorkeling for a day. Also it was Sarah's Birthday so everybody woke up in a festive spirit singing Happy Birthday throughout breakfast. To our surprise our boat was upgraded to a large size catamaran that allowed us to all spread our towels and suntan on the way to our destination- Kicker Rock. Kicker Rock is known as one of best places to see the Galapagos sharks and if you are lucky get a glimpse of the Hammer Head shark. Kicker Rock is absolutely amazing, it is 2 massive separate rocks over 350ft tall towing above the water. We had the chance to snorkel through a large crack in the rock and observe below us the exciting sight of sharks swimming around us. At first glance they would surface a bit and then descend deeper out of sight and then return we were all totally amazed to have the chance to swim with sharks. After Kicker Rocker we docked the boat near San Cristobal Island for lunch. During lunch some of the girls had a 'dance off' with another boat near us to see which boat had the best moves Also we gave Sarah a fake birthday spanking which is a traditional part of a Ecuadorian birthday celebration. Then we headed over to Isla Lobos (Sea Lion Island) to swim with the sea lions and check out marine iguanas feeding underwater. To celebrate our last night in the islands and Sarah's birthday we went out to dinner at a great pizza restaurant. We concluded the night with a delicious cake and a small ceremony held by Johnny from the National Park who passed out diplomas to thank us for all our had work in the Islands.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Friday, July 25, 2008
Day 14
Author: Mike and Mario
Location: Naval Academy- San Cristobal Island
Another lovely Friday morning. As we finished breakfast, we embarked on our last visit to the naval academy. We brought all of games and activities for the children. Half of us stayed with the kids while the other played a 7 on 7 soccer match in the courtyard. Half of the group was in the classroom to show 7 yr. old students how to use the art supplies. The children were very anxious to draw and color in their drawings. We even showed them how to blow balloons. For the rest of the afternoon we waited out a passing storm and then snorkeled and sunbathed at our favorite beach one last time. We were visited by baby sea-lions and one napped closed to some of the girls that were sun bathing. At night the leaders broke us up into 3 groups and challenged us to a great game of Spanish Scavenger hunt. We had to photograph over 40 items within 1 hour. The game put us in awkward but learning situations.. some funny pictures included members of the group photographed with a local policeman we definitely learned a few new words and we had so much fun doing it.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Location: Naval Academy- San Cristobal Island
Another lovely Friday morning. As we finished breakfast, we embarked on our last visit to the naval academy. We brought all of games and activities for the children. Half of us stayed with the kids while the other played a 7 on 7 soccer match in the courtyard. Half of the group was in the classroom to show 7 yr. old students how to use the art supplies. The children were very anxious to draw and color in their drawings. We even showed them how to blow balloons. For the rest of the afternoon we waited out a passing storm and then snorkeled and sunbathed at our favorite beach one last time. We were visited by baby sea-lions and one napped closed to some of the girls that were sun bathing. At night the leaders broke us up into 3 groups and challenged us to a great game of Spanish Scavenger hunt. We had to photograph over 40 items within 1 hour. The game put us in awkward but learning situations.. some funny pictures included members of the group photographed with a local policeman we definitely learned a few new words and we had so much fun doing it.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Day 13
Author: Alex and Sarah
Location: San Cristobal- Naval Academy School
We started the day painting finishing our murals at the local naval academy and made the final preparations for our ecology board to be installed by noon we had tackled all our projects. After a quick lunch we headed to a beach filled with sea-lions for a quick refreshing dip before returning to the school for an invigorating game of soccer which we clearly lost. In the early evening an inexhaustible group trekked to a local beach to snorkel with giant sea turtles and bear witness to a beautiful sunset.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Location: San Cristobal- Naval Academy School
We started the day painting finishing our murals at the local naval academy and made the final preparations for our ecology board to be installed by noon we had tackled all our projects. After a quick lunch we headed to a beach filled with sea-lions for a quick refreshing dip before returning to the school for an invigorating game of soccer which we clearly lost. In the early evening an inexhaustible group trekked to a local beach to snorkel with giant sea turtles and bear witness to a beautiful sunset.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Day 12
Author: Sam and Nikki
Location: San Cristobal- Naval Academy
The day began at the Naval Academy High School where we separated into groups to help create 2 murals. The murals depicted underwater life and land fauna and flora including sea lions, sea turtles and coral. That evening after dinner, we hiked up to the Charles Darwin Center to watch a documentary titled 'SharkWater'. It was an enlightening, interesting and very informative video based on the enormous decline shark population due to human involvement. Part of the film was shot in the Galapagos Island. When we returned to the hotel to rest up and prepare for the next day of mural completion.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
Location: San Cristobal- Naval Academy
The day began at the Naval Academy High School where we separated into groups to help create 2 murals. The murals depicted underwater life and land fauna and flora including sea lions, sea turtles and coral. That evening after dinner, we hiked up to the Charles Darwin Center to watch a documentary titled 'SharkWater'. It was an enlightening, interesting and very informative video based on the enormous decline shark population due to human involvement. Part of the film was shot in the Galapagos Island. When we returned to the hotel to rest up and prepare for the next day of mural completion.
Flickr Photos from Today
Flickr Photos from this Voyage
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