From Mashpi to the Galapagos

My time at Mashpi was very nice. I had a nice mix of relaxation and excursions. We hiked in the rain down to a waterfall, as well as visited a butterfly garden where they raise butterflies. I had a nice time with the group I was assigned. One night I had dinner with the British couple, and the other night I are with the girls who worked at the US embassy. Eventually it was time to go, and I was transferred back to Quito for the night.

I was up early and taken to the airport for my flight to the Galapagos. We flew from Quito to Guayaquil to the Islands, and on the first leg of the trip I was seated next to an Ecudorian woman who had been at Mashpi and recognized me. Small world!!! She got off at Guayaquil, and the plane filled up with more passengers, and then we were off for the Galapagos! This was the first time I've ever had an aborted landing, and we had to circle around a second time to land. I was a bit worried that we weren't going to be landing after all, but the pilot was able to make the landing on the second try.

After getting through the logistics of arriving at the Galapagos and collecting my baggage, I was met by my guide and we made the journey to the hotel, which was on a different island than the airport. Along the way we stopped at a rock formation that looked like large crators, a place where there were lots of giant tortoises, and large lava tubes. After arriving at the town where the hotel is located, we had to board a boat for a small ride to the hotel. The hotel was lovely and has a beach as well as a pool (with ducks swimming in it!). It was late by the time I reached the hotel, so I chilled out at the hotel and prepared myself for an early morning of scuba diving! I can't wait!