Galapagos

OUR TRIP TO SOUTH AMERICA IN MARCH 2007

Discovery

Galapagos

Our final stop was the famous Galapagos Islands

The hillside in the town of Valparaiso, Chile is woven with frail homes that a heavy wind could flatten.	Tourist flock to market places to find exotic bargains such as these colourful Alpaca rugs.	Entering the harbour at Valparaiso, Chile about 6 am, we were entertained by an outstanding tropical sunrise.	The very oldest funicular, built about 1880, still carries people up the steep hillside.	We taxied to the botanical garden with an excellent guide and driver.

Our guide, Marie and the driver, Bernie, took us to a very typical Chilean restaurant for lunch.	Manta, Ecuador was the final port before we arrived in Galapagos. We loved the public art.	The Manta Museum had wonderful displays of the history of the area. The city has been inhabited for 3000 years.	A tuna boat was tied up near our ship. Divers inspected the hull of the cruise ship. All living plants on board had to be destroyed.	Fast food was alive and well in Ecuador but had a distinctly Latin character. At this "food court", meat was the main feature.

This lunch plate of sausage, banana, chicken and potato cost $2.40. Two pork chops with French fries was $3.70. A little heavy on the meat!	The distinctive frigate bird was around the ship and harbours of South America. They fly effort -lessly and peck at them -selves while airborn.	Blue-footed Boobies are on every birdwatcher's list in the Galapagos. We watched the male dance to impress the female.	A wild species of cotton thrives in some areas of the Galapagos.	Several species of Darwinian finches live on the islands. They were easy to photograph because they come close to investigate strangers.

Goats left by early mariners had become an invasive species. Hunters from New Zealand exterminated them by shooting from the air.	The guide stops by the discarded shell of a land tortoise. All the guides were licensed by the park authority.	The people boarding our cruise ship are Galapagos Park officials. They lec- tured and directed the passengers and crew for two days before arrival.	This tiny lava lizard has just captured a spider.	Brown pelicans were a common sight.

The male frigate bird puffs his chest into something like a red balloon. We saw one puffed and flying, something of a rarity.	Kicker Rock is a perfect place for bird watching from a small boat. Just sailing around the rock is impressive too.	Sea lions clutter the beaches and marinas in the main town of San Cristobal. One tour was called "Swimming with the Sea Lions".	Residents of the islands are invariably involved with tourists or fishing or both.	The famous Galapagos Tortoise is gradually being nurtured back to a healthy population. We toured one of main breeding facilities.

Lonesome George, the one of a kind species, gets all the headlines. The age of a tortoise can be determined by counting the rings on its shell.	A vendor of barbecued delights operated across the street from our hotel in Quito. We tested one for lunch for $1.	Quito sits astride the Equator. Our taxi driver was actually not a taxi driver but a citizen trying to make a buck carrying tourists in the family car.	This incredible display of roses may look extravagant, but in Quito, a rose exporter, a dozen were worth about a dollar.	Quito had numerous stalls selling handmade crafts. We were astonished to discover that this lady made all her own wares.