Goodness I can´t believe it´s been a month since the last time I posted. The last few weeks I´ve been in Colombia -- mostly Bogotá with a brief trip to Villa de Leyva. Safe and sound (if frequently rained on) - before I get into Colombia, a brief run down of my last two weeks in Ecuador:
The Galapagos Islands
AMAZING! - If you ever have the chance to go - take it. Yes - it´s pricey (five days cruising the islands cost about as much as the rest of me time in Ecuador) but absolutely worth being sea-sick for five days straight. And you can certainly spend less than I did if you book your own flights, tours etc. (I took a very nice boat). Of course you aren´t seeing the Galapagos you read about in fifth grade science class-- people have settled/ tried to settle, species have been introduced and gone extinct, walking trails have been built -- but at the same time - it is the place. You go there and see the giant turtles and the finches, you see islands so new they are pretty much just cooled lava.
Montañita
Yes, as promised, there are surfers. Though it is the off season (and I was there during the week) so not the wild party scene everyone imagines. Besides the ocean, I´d say the reason to go is the food -- it´s touristy enough to have attracted a good number of good chefs. And you can (try to) learn to surf.
Mindo
Truth be told, this is a very small town - there are dirt roads straight off the central park. That said, the orchids, birds and butterflies are plentiful and it´s worth more than a day trip from Quito. Two to three days is about right - particularly if you want to do a birding tour or zip lining. Expect to get muddy.
Mitad del Mundo
Finally I´ve crossed the Equator a foot (in addition to by plane, bus, and boat). Unlike on the cruise, no one throws a party or gives you a cute little certificate at Mitad del Mundo. But you can take a picture of yourself holding up the world (there´s a globe atop the marker) and visit the planetarium. Definitely worth the bus ride.
The Galapagos Islands
Montañita
Yes, as promised, there are surfers. Though it is the off season (and I was there during the week) so not the wild party scene everyone imagines. Besides the ocean, I´d say the reason to go is the food -- it´s touristy enough to have attracted a good number of good chefs. And you can (try to) learn to surf.
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| Also - sweet beach dogs |
Mindo
Truth be told, this is a very small town - there are dirt roads straight off the central park. That said, the orchids, birds and butterflies are plentiful and it´s worth more than a day trip from Quito. Two to three days is about right - particularly if you want to do a birding tour or zip lining. Expect to get muddy.
Mitad del Mundo
Finally I´ve crossed the Equator a foot (in addition to by plane, bus, and boat). Unlike on the cruise, no one throws a party or gives you a cute little certificate at Mitad del Mundo. But you can take a picture of yourself holding up the world (there´s a globe atop the marker) and visit the planetarium. Definitely worth the bus ride.
