Once upon a time... about 60 years ago, there was a "day-dreamer," named Marion.
Photo 1. The year, 1952, had him, pictured on the far left of the photo, with 5 siblings. Two more would be added in the usual 2 year interval.
Photo 2. School had not yet had his attention, except maybe for the geography class. The details covered for tests were not the appeal. The capitol of Bolivia; LaPaz...etc. What was more interesting - did it look like the pictures in the books? Jungles? Wild animals? Those curious things an 8 year old finds of interest.
Photo 3. This was the year, he "met" the first love of his life. No, not Carol. Not yet. Instead, it was camera of his own - A newer version of the Kodak Brownie. Smaller and easier to use than the older 1940 version of the Kodak Brownie box his parents used on their honeymoon in 1941.
Dreams... they included travel. Would he ever go to these places he only saw in books? Better yet, visit and take his own photos?
Just a dream he thought (-:
An alternate web links to simplify your journey with us is using the one for mobile devices:
http://2012-gimp-adventure.blogspot.com/?m=1
Living The Dream... 2012
Fast forward 60 years. Carol and I have been married for 47 years. Times a waistin’ sittin’ ‘round the shanty. You never know how many more years your body will allow such travel?
How about a trip of the lifetime? Maybe 2 trips? A double header! Alright. All set. If you’re going to South America, why not make 2 stops? Galapagos Islands, part of Ecuador, but 600 miles west in the Pacific Ocean. Next, another one of those “bucket list” trips – Machu Picchu in Peru.
I have omitted using a comments section to this blog. Past experience showed a lack of respect by non-invited viewers to add non-family friendly ads and comments. Enough on that. Send me a note if you are one of the “lucky few” to get a personal invite and have something to share (-:
The GIMP Adventure was planned over many months. This trip, like last years to Italy and Istanbul, was setup through Road Scholar and arrangements made by Holbrook Travel in Gainesville Florida.
Details @ Road Scholar #18484
A link for last year’s adventure blog is here:
P3 – Pizza & Popes & People
To simplify my work on this blog, will limit the blog to 3 photos – a triptych story. Can 3 photos tell a story? You be the judge.
A link will also be added for more photos taken that day. For 17 day trip – just over 14,000 snapshots. So, what you will see will be a "small"portion..
Each page will also include a link or two that I feel will add to what we learned. As Road Scholar touts – Adventures in Lifelong Learning. Luckily, no quiz will be given (-:
For me, the "learning" took place; before, during and after. After going to these places realized how much more "spaces" I needed to fill in.
Photo 1. As we left the house, the weather was “ideal” here in Michigan – cold and rainy. After a brief stop in Atlanta, we were on flight to Quito. Altitude over 9,000 feet. Our tow worries – 1. Altitude sickness – 2. Sea sickness. While waiting for cab to arrive – anxiety in pit of stomach was similar to what I found was our experience to both air and sea concerns.
Here is Wiki link for Quito.
Photo 2. Shows flight info to Quito – sounds just like the cheese Cheetos. Some folks want to use the Q as in quit. Which reminds me to encourage all not to quit dreaming of your own adventures. Yes, they can be as close as your backyard or maybe the choices or chances we considered. Now that this blog is done post-trip will say – wow, lots of fun.
Photo 3. Our driver waiting for us at airport. Time is already after midnight, so ride to Sheraton Hotel will show us the vibrancy of Quito nightlife (-:
Click here for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2012GIMPDay1Of17
Day 2: Quito – City Excursion & Field Trip to the Equator Saturday, October 27
Breakfast at hotel. Orientation to the program with Victoria. Then Intiñan Museum that has a permanent exposition that details the Andean ancestral cultures. Saw replica of an ancient home and saw way of life and traditions of indigenous people long ago.
Visit El Panecillo for panoramic views of Quito. Before the Spanish arrived, the hill known as El Panecillo (small bread roll) was used by the Inca for sun worshiping. In the early 1800s, the Spanish military took advantage of El Panecillo's strategic location and elevation (9,843 ft), and built a fortress to protect and monitor the city. we were able to see Cotopaxi's snowy peak in the distance.
Walked and explored Quito's colonial center, with Independence Square. Saw the Presidential and Bishop Palace, as well as the Cathedral. Visit La Compañía church, one of the most beautiful churches in Quito, legendary for its gold covered interior. Visit the historic San Francisco church and convent, raised up above a wide stone paved court originally known as Tiangues, a place used by the indigenous inhabitants of Quito to trade products.
Lunch at local restaurant including an introduction to Ecuadorian food products and typical Ecuadorian cuisine.
Before dinner, a lecture: The Past, Present and Future of Ecuador. Dinner at hotel.
Photo 1. Found out the accuracy of Equator mark differed from my GPS.
Photo 2. Carol and I were surprised that our 47th anniversary info was passed on by Road Scholar office.
Photo 3. The men, dressed as early “penitents,” served us a special dessert which was made eerie with by adding some dry ice to the plate. The blurry photo was chosen to show how my head felt that first few days. Tomorrow though, fly back down to sea level and next stop – Galapagos Islands. Now I can compare how the body adapts to the movement of our boat/home for the next week (-:
Click here for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2012GIMPDay2Of17
Day 3: Galápagos Islands - Flight to Baltra Island/Board Yacht; Yolita II/ Visit North Seymour Island. Sunday, October 28
Breakfast at the Quito hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to the Galápagos Islands. The 44-pound weight limit for checked luggage on the flights to the islands had us pack carefully.
Baltra Island is one of the two available airports in the Galápagos Islands. The other airport is located on San Cristobal Island. At Lima airport we met our naturalist guide, Edgar, and transferred to the 16 passenger yacht; Yolita II.
Sailed to North Seymour Island. Dry landing (we get to step on rock path, instead of feet into water) on North Seymour Island using Zodiac inflatable pontoon boat. North Seymour Island is conveniently located next to Baltra Island. It is considered one of the most active seabird colonies in the archipelago. Blue-footed Boobies will nest near the trails, we had opportunity to get a close view during the walks.
Web links: Galapagos
Encountered Swallow-tailed Gulls and sea lions, not seals. Sea lions have ears, seals don’t, we were told. This site is a major nesting colony of Blue-footed Boobies and has the a very large colony of Magnificent Frigate birds. Yes, they are big – maybe 7 foot wingspan? Also varied iguana species; marine iguanas and land iguanas, plus some lava lizards during a hike around the bird nesting sites.
Every evening we have a review of current and next day’s activities. Very helpful. Delicious dinner followed.
Photo 1. Our home for the next week – Yolita II. Will handle 16 passengers. Our guide, Edgar, is at the helm of the first Zodiac inflatable boat that will allow us to make on shore landings possible.
Photo 2. The outstanding crew that helped us. From left to right: Edgar, our guide; Tyrone, the El Capitan; First Mate, Luis; Loberti, the engineer – a master mechanic of all things; Peter, Zodiac operator; Andy, a real “boy scout”: helpful, friendly and much more; Humberto, master chef, truly a genius in the small quarters he works in; his Sous chef, Joel; and the very notable Naldo, bartender, bell ringer for meal notifications and a wealth of knowledge on many things.
Photo 3. The “tourists,” us; Front row: Paula, Nina, and Laura. Second row: Barbara, her sister; Joyce, Bonnie, Gail and Lew. Back row: Carol, Gary, (me) Mariano, Peter, Olaf and Martin. The old guy in the front front wouldn’t tell us his name. He did say his favorite book is by Dr. Seuss – Yertle The Turtle!
Fancy that, considering he is a tortoise!
Click here for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2012GIMPDay3Of17
Day 4: Galápagos Islands - San Cristobal Island (Cerro Brujo), Leon Dormido & Isla Lobos Monday, October 29
This morning visited to Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion), for optimal swimming and snorkeling activities.
Web photos - Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion)
Leon Dormido (aka Kicker Rock by British explorers) is a vertical cone formation which rises almost 500 feet from the ocean. It has eroded to give it the shape seen as a shoe or a sleeping lion. You can usually see Blue-footed Boobies, Masked Boobies, and frigate birds on its cliffs, as well as sea lions on the shores. Later in the morning, we navigated to nearby Cerro Brujo for a wet landing. Cerro Brujo (Wizard Hill) is one of the nicest white-sand beaches found in the islands. It is situated in a secluded spot on the western side of San Cristobal, with beautiful views of Leon Dormido in the distance. we walked along the beach trail searching for marine iguanas, sea lions, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
Returned to the yacht for lunch. Wet landing on Isla Lobos. Its name in Spanish means "sea lion island" due to a large colony of sea lions that made the isle their home. Loud and lively barks can be heard. These vocal and playful mammals enjoy sunning themselves anywhere/everywhere, providing us with an opportunity to observe their social antics. In addition to sea lions, the island is also home to a colony of Blue-footed Boobies and a number of frigate birds. This was also a good snorkeling site and a good place to possibly see manta rays and sea turtles.
Photo 1. Humberto and Joel making us something tasty. The kitchen is maybe 6 by 10 feet? Note the half-moon window that Joel hands food to Naldo who preps the buffet counter for morning meal. The lunch and dinners are served at our table. The bar was stock with most imbibing fluids you might want to partake in.
Photo 2. The breakfast service counter is on the right.
Photo 3. We were provided a variety of seafood and chicken plus other delight I can’t recollect. Oh yes, octopus one night!
Click here for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2012GIMPDay4Of17
Day 5: Galápagos Islands - Española Island (Gardner Bay, Islote Osborn & Punta Suarez) Tuesday, October 30
Wet landing at Gardner Bay, Española Island. This morning we enjoyed a beach walk, and a ride around Gardner and Osborn islets. Española is the southernmost island in the Galápagos. It is best known as the nesting place of the rare Waved Albatross. Most of the world's population of these majestic birds nest here.
Gardner Bay, on the northeastern tip of the island, has a beautiful white-sand beach where sea lions like to sun themselves. We had an opportunity for swimming and snorkeling. Tried to spot marine species like the king angelfish, creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, and white-tipped reef sharks.
Afternoon field trip to Punta Suarez on the western end of Española Island. It is home to the Galapagos Hawk and is also the best place to see the red-form of the marine iguana. Looked for mockingbirds, finches, and boobies. Learn about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. Also saw the famous blowhole from 100 foot cliff and saw water shoot 50-70 feet into the air.
Española Island blowhole images.
Photo 1. Omar provided a wall chart of the plans for the days we were there.
Photo 2. Each morning in our eating area, he had a timetable for us to get ready for the day’s adventures.
Photo 3. Since we had to anchor away from shore, the Zodiac launch was from the rear of the boat.
Click here for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2012GIMPDay5Of17
Day 7: Galápagos Islands - Santa Cruz Island (Charles Darwin Research Station & Pit Craters) Thursday, November 01
This morning, visited the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island to learn about conservation efforts throughout the islands.
The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) is a biological research station operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. The objective of the CDRS is to conduct scientific research and environmental education for conservation. The station has a large team of scientists, educators, volunteers, research students and support staff from all over the world. At the CDRS, visitors have the opportunity to observe giant tortoises at all stages of development, from a few days old to close to one-hundred years of age. Web links here:
http://www.darwinfoundation.org/english/pages/index.php
After lunch, enjoy a field trip into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the archipelago. It is the administrative center of the islands and the most populated. The National Park Service is based here, but perhaps the most important is the Charles Darwin Research Station, the headquarters of all research and conservation efforts on the islands. Giant tortoises can be spotted on the island at certain times of year and several species of Darwin's finches reside here. A dramatic change in vegetation zones can be seen as one travels into the highland region of the island. Visit Cerro Chato and the twin pit craters (Los Gemelos). The twin craters found in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island are actually large sinkholes--not volcanic formations. They were created as a result of the collapse, or the sinking, of surface materials into cracks. The surrounding Scalesia forest is a great place to view vegetation that is unique to the islands and search for land birds.
Photo 1. A visit with “Ché Chuck” Evolutionary Revolutionary. At times I feel like Charles Darwin. Taking a “long time” to study, ponder and evaluate my observations.
Photo 2. The Darwin research facility has much to help us understand the greatness of his efforts.
Photo 3. Even with “data” available for 200 years, there are still some who believe his theory is just that. It’s up to us to believe what we want?
Click here for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2012GIMPDay7Of17
