(sigh).... So close and yet so far.
So, this weekend is a long weekend here in Ecuador, and so all the girls from the volunteer house had decided to head to Isabela this weekend for a bit 'o fun. We bought tickets for the boat, we had bags packed, permissions to bugger-off from work from our bosses... everything! And with only a few hours left before the boat goes, an 'orange alert' happens due to large waves all over the coastline, and all marine activity is suspended. Fishing, surfing, and yes..... the boats to Isabela. With only two more weekends left here, this means that next weekend, I HAVE TO GET THERE!!! Hahaha!
OK, so I haven't written in a while. What's been going on? Not much. Since the trip to Darwin, things have been relatively quiet around here. Last weekend on Saturday a group of us volunteers went to climb Cerro Crocker, the volcano peak in Santa Cruz. It was a rainy drizzly day when we headed out, which made for an extremely muddy trail. Oh well, right? Well, Andrea didn't have room in her suitcase for hiking boots, and so I went in socks and my durable Keen sandals, which were promptly filled with mud after about 10 min on the trail.
And after 2 hours up, and then another 2 down, and a bit of side-trail exploring in between, well let's just ssay it took me several scrub brushes to get the mud out of my clothes and out from under my toe nails. But, what a view! When we arrived at the top of Cerro Crocker, we had the most amazing views of ..... absolutely nothing. Remember, I said it was raining. Socked in. Nothing to see. Hahahah!! Oh well, it was a very rugged trail with amazing forests to see on the way up.
On Sunday, the same group of us went to Garrapaterro, a distant beach on the east coast of Santa Cruz (where we carry out the monitoring of juvenile sharks, actually!). Qué divertido!!! We played in the surf and relaxed all afternoon...
The usual turnover of volunteers continues here, we had a good-bye party for someone last night. Soon it will be my turn. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon!! This weekend, since Isabela has eluded us, we may go camping in the highlands, or maybe just take it easy.... Will post about Isabela when I finally meet 'her'!!
Love, hugs, and kisses from Galapagos! Andy
