12/5/23
Early start with 9.15am flight. Three flights to get to Quito: Birmingham to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Bogotá and finally Bogotá to Quito. Breakfast at Bottega with a bottle of Prosecco set us up for the very tiring 24 hours of travelling. We arrived at Dann Carlton just after midnight local time, a bit concerned we had to meet the tour guide at 8am! Lovely comfy room with a rainfall shower and two queen beds. But we won’t see much of it as only here for the night.
13/5/23
Quito
Fabulous breakfast buffet featuring Ecuadorian delicacies. Tour of the city with our tour guide Marcelo. Our tour started at the local fruit and vegetable market where we tasted exotic fruits from the region. We then visited the Basilica del Vito which had amazing gargoyles in the shape of indigenous animals such as jaguars, Caiman, turtles, llamas and even penguins. We then went a walking tour around the old town stopping off for a chocolate tasting and a glass of wine in a beautiful courtyard. Around 1pm we set off for the Amazon rainforest, stopping for lunch on the way, at Gina’s where food is accompanied by a shot of tequila!
Arrived at Akuna Matata in the middle of the rain forest. Our lodge was very pretty, but basic, hidden away in the forest. After our evening meal we went for a wildlife walk in the dark and saw lots of spiders, insects and frogs before a tropical downpour hit and we retired to our lodge.
14/5/23
Tena
Mother’s Day in Ecuador. Breakfast before setting off on another rainforest walk, with Jorge our guide, who was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and made sure I didn’t slip. Absolutely chucking it down with rain, but still amazing. We ate raw cocoa straight from the tree. Lunch at the lodge before an afternoon of r & r. We spent the afternoon in the pool and hammocks having the resort to ourselves and then another great dinner.
15/5/23
Tena-Quito
After breakfast we set off back to Quito. We were lucky to make it through, as yesterday, there were several landslides that had made the road impassable in places. Work had taken place during the night to clear the debris.
We visited the middle of the world monument (mitad del mondo) and park, which is just outside Quito. Where you can stand with one front in the Southern Hemisphere and the other in Northern. Traditional food for lunch empanadas and potato soup with cheese and avocado.
Back to the Carlton Dann in Quito for a two night stay.
16/5/23
Quito
After a hearty breakfast we set off exploring. The hotel booked us a car to take us to the cable car, Teleferico, for amazing views of the city and a great Irish coffee. Unfortunately, Ann left her phone in the car, but the hotel contacted the driver and he returned it within the hour. We then went for a walk around the New Town of Quito before stopping off for a Tex Mex lunch. We sat in the sunshine enjoying the gorgeous house red. Back to the hotel to pack and shower before going out for a few drinks. We decided against dinner as still full from lunch and snacks with drinks. Early night as early start.
17/5/23
Galápagos
Early start pick up at 6am for a 9.20am flight. Reunited with our lovely guide Marcelo who drove us the airport. Marcelo guided as through the slightly complicated check in procedure as we had to pass through bio security too for the Galapagos.
We arrived at Baltra island airport where we had to take a shuttle bus and ferry, before meeting our driver on Santa Cruz. Enroute to the hotel we stopped at El Chato ranch to see the giant tortoises and the lava tunnels. We got soaked in a tropical rainstorm whilst walking with our guide. What was surprising, given that the Galapagos is supposed to be an ecological, environmentally friendly place, was that all the vehicles were gas guzzling Toyota Hilux pick up trucks.
When we arrived at our lovely hotel Ikala in Puerto Ayora, we went for a dip in the pool, which we had to ourselves. Followed by a refreshing sangria, before heading out for dinner. We ate at La Regatta, gorgeous food, we both had salad, fajitas and tiramisu. A walk down, what only can be described as, bar street to digest our dinner followed. We ended up at the pier on the recommendation of our guide Maria and we’re treated to a display from the local wildlife. A sea lion asleep under a bench and lots of little sharks chasing shoals of fish, all being chased by a seal. Only one word to describe our first day in the Galapagos AMAZING!
18/5/23
Galapagos
Breakfast at the roof top restaurant in the hotel with amazing views of the port. We were picked up at 8.45 am for our Bay Tour. At the harbour we saw our first marine iguanas. Our tour started with a sail by the cliffs to see the Blue footed Boobies and frigate birds. Next stop for snorkelling was at Canal del Amore. I wasn’t keen on snorkelling so just swam. But Ann saw marine turtles and Blue parrot fish. After snorkelling we went on a short hike to a viewing platform above the canal to try and see sharks, but didn’t see any. Getting back on the boat I also saw a turtle, parrot fish and lots of Sally Lightfoot crabs, so didn’t feel too disappointed that I didn’t snorkel. Next stop was another hike to Las Grietas a water filled crevice in the rocks, the water was really refreshing and washed away all the salt water. As usual Ann the Mermaid was in her element. Back to the hotel for a swim in the pool, a lie down and beer and chips for lunch. After a quick shower and change we headed to the Charles Darwin research centre. Here we took a guided tour for $10 each and saw the conservation work being done by hatching and rearing Giant tortoises to a size that they can be released back into the wild. We also saw Lonesome George (well a stuffed version!) who died in 2012, the last Pinto Giant Tortoise. It was really hot so we stopped for ice cream and drinks. We made our way slowly back stopping at Pelican Bay to see the Pelicans, marine iguanas and another sleeping sea lion in the middle of the path. We made the most of happy hour and had a couple of margaritas, before dinner at The Rock. We both had Thai food which was delicious. Both really tired after a full on day so we decided to buy some wine to drink on the balcony before an early night.
19/5/23
Galapagos
Rudely awoken at 2.45am by a fire alarm in our hotel. After some confusion it turned out to be a false alarm (someone smoking in their room) so back to bed. Must have been exhausted as despite an early night we slept in a bit later. Breakfast in the rooftop restaurant again. We decided to have a chilled last day in Galapagos so caught a water taxi for just a dollar each way to Playa de los Alemanes (German beach). We took a picnic lunch with us (which obviously included champagne and wine) and spent the day chilling in the sea with a very friendly pelican and some ducks. Playa de los Alemanes is just outside the very exclusive Finches Bay Hotel. After making our way back we chilled in the hotel pool with cocktails. However we soon realised that all that time is the sea had left us both with sunburnt shoulders! We had our final meal in the Galapagos in the lovely roof top restaurant in our hotel. The effects of the sun made us really tired and Ann even left her wine! The Ikala really is a beautiful hotel with fabulous service. To walk off dinner we strolled down to the pier for a last look at the baby black tipped sharks. Another early night, after packing, as an early start in the morning for the last leg of our journey - Guayaquil.
20/5/23
Guayaquil
7am pick up for our flight back to the mainland. Reverse journey back, pick up truck, ferry and shuttle bus to the airport. On our way across Baltra island we saw land iguanas and a frigate bird with its red throat pouch inflated. At the airport my suitcase was checked and I had to throw away my hair spray, which was weird as I always carry hair spray in my checked baggage.
Arrived at Guayaquil airport at 1pm local time and were met by our guide for transfer to the River Garden Hotel. Time to unpack before a guided tour of the city. The River Garden Hotel is lovely, we have a massive room with a view of the river and the Malecon. Guayaquil has a reputation of being unsafe, but there is a massive police and security presence all around the tourist areas. Our guide advised us where was safe and not to wear much jewellery. The Malecon is a 3km broad walk along the river and has lots of bars and restaurants, a Ferris wheel and cable cars. Later in the evening we returned to the Malecon for dinner. However, I felt a bit unwell so went to bed whilst Ann went up to the rooftop bar in the hotel for a nightcap.
21/5/23
Guayaquil
After breakfast, we set off to explore Guayaquil. First stop was the Artesan market where we picked up lots of bargains after some haggling. Next we rode the cable car, which gives fantastic views of the city and goes on for miles. Special highlight was the American cemetery which was huge and seemed to house skyscrapers of tombs, some 10 tombs high and wide. We then rode La Perla, the Ferris wheel, which was a smaller version of the London eye. After a stop for Ice Cream we went on a boat trip to Santay island. Very cheap, just $6 each for a 2 hour round trip, the island is a wetland fishing village and you walk around on a raised boardwalk. We were slightly disappointed as the guide spoke no English and Ann was desperate for the loo! We were told it was a place to see Caimans. And whilst there were Caimans there, they were part of a captive breeding programme. When we eventually found the toilets they were disgusting with no running water, but a kind lady gave us a baby wipe! Both Ann and I were very wet and sticky with the humidity and couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel for a shower. Drinks at a little bar across the road from our hotel, before dinner and then night caps on the roof terrace,
22/5/23
Last day
Quick trip back to the Artisan market for some last minute shopping. Top tip leave your souvenir shopping until Guayaquil, t-shirts which cost $20 in the Galapagos only $8 here. Ann and I both bought gorgeous cotton dresses for just $13 each.
Check out is at 12noon, so back to hotel for a cool down and to empty our room. We had lunch at the roof top bar before our arduous 3 flight 24 hour+ trip home! At Guayaquil airport I was called to security and had to go through door marked 'Narcotics control'! They wanted to check my suitcase, but there was some confusion as the cases were mislabelled and it was actually Ann's. However, I couldn't get them to understand so just went with the flow. The security man went through Ann's case and started to sniff everything including her dirty laundry bag! This made me giggle lots of course. But all was well in the end.
Highly recommend Exoticca as a tour company.
#Carlton Dann Hotel Quito
#Akuna matata Tena
#Ikala Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
#River garden Guayaquil
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