Sweathog and Mountain Woman: Saturday, May 21, 2016

We were up about 6:30, showered and down to breakfast at 7:15. The transportation company was there to pick us up at 8:00 and we arrived at the airport for our 9:50 flight to the Galapagos Island of Baltra in plenty of time. There were a couple of little glitches this morning.The vouchers for our entry fee to the Galápagos Islands of $20 each and our National Park fee of $100 each, which were prepaid, were never delivered to the hotel so we had to fork out the $240. I'm sure it will be refunded.

Our arrival into the Galapagos was on time and we had no problems at what amounted to Galapagos Customs even though we were still in Ecuador. Richard, our prearranged transportation guide, met us right outside of baggage claim. In order to reach the town of Puerto Ayora, where we are staying, we took a bus from the airport to the ferry, a half mile ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island and then a 25 mile taxi ride to Puerto Ayora. We are at Fiesta Hotel. The hotel is about a half mile from the town center and the wharf and is quite nice.

We sat around the room for a few minutes and then headed into town. We stopped at the pier for a few minutes and then found a place for a light lunch. Then it was off to the Charles Darwin Research Center and what turned out to be a small zoo at the Center. It was a little disappointing. The Tortoises were in a walled in area that looked anything but natural and the pens for the Iguanas were even worse. We are looking forward to seeing them in a natural habitat.

On the walk back to the hotel we stopped at the town cemetery which is by far the most ornate cemetery I have ever visited. Peg would have loved it.

Liz is doing great!

ILYB

Fiesta Hotel