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We Get Bombarded by Quito's High School Population

2/24/2016

Quito, oh Quito! Before flying into Galápagos. this capital of Ecuador is where we spent a couple nights. Noted as a calm but vibrant city, we were assured that we would have a beautiful and relaxing time admiring the intricate architecture and delicate craftsmanship.

Problem is, as soon as we began admiring the delicate architecture we were stormed by what seemed like Quito's entire high school population.

The first night we spent in Quito had been rough. Used to a warm, humid climate, the thin and dry air made it difficult to breathe. There's so little oxygen up there they only have one fire station, and we were getting out of breath just climbing up the stairs. So much for being fit and in shape. However, once we got through the first night and began to get acclimated with the altitude, our bodies began to feel a lot less zombie-like, and we were excited to start exploring the city and get immersed into the culture.

But as soon as we walked out of our hotel and into the plaza, we were crowded by high school students asking us to help them with their English project. I'm not even sure how they knew we were American. If anything, we resemble Europeans, and most of us fluently speak Romanian, a Latin-based language. Maybe one of us let an English word slip, or our accent was just really, really strong. Whatever the case, it felt like I was being surrounded by the paparazzi.

"What's it like in America?" they asked.
"What's your favorite color?" another one would shout.
"What's your name?" a third one said.

Evidently, they had been waiting around the plaza for a couple hours hoping an English speaker would pop up. It was their job to interview this so-called English speaker and have them answer a few questions, and then introduce themselves om English. Through this exchange, the students taught us a little bit of Spanish, and I tried out my little knowledge of their language and failed miserably at communicating. However, they all smiled and were very polite, and gave us advice on where to go, pointing us towards a stately cathedral in the center of the city.

So, I guess getting stormed by a huge crowd of Quito's high school students isn't too bad. And it definitely made me feel like some high-end celebrity. However, I think I'm going to work on my accent, and maybe learn a few more words in Spanish other than "Hola, me llamo Sylvie" and "Tu madre es un babuino". Who knows, maybe next time I'll be crowded by a group of elementary school students. And I'm sure "Tu madre es un babuino" probably isn't the best way to introduce myself.

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Five THings You Must Know Before Going to GalápaGos

2/21/2016

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Before we went to Galápagos, we did a lot of research. Our eyes were burning from staring at the computer for so long, and we were heartily sick of staring at lists of airplane prices. However, we did come across some surprises, from both the visit and the research And so, if you visit Galápagos, here are five things you must know before going.

#1. Cruises Are the Way to GO

Galápagos is closed off. Few boats can get to the island, and the ones that do have to be certified and pass an inspection. Which basically means that you can't travel on your own. If you do go on your own, you'll find yourself spending some quality get-to-know time with the Ecuadorian prison guards. So, cruises it is.

When I say cruises, I don't mean ones with water-slides and a casino. The cruise boats that go to Galápagos are small, twenty to two-hundred passengers per ship. The companies usually offer a room or suite, depending on what you chose, with a nice common eating place, maybe a lounge with a game board, a gift shop, and a big meeting room. Though there can be slight variations, that's what how it was with the ship we went with, the Galapagos Explorer II. Right after we visited our ship was bought by Silver Seas, but you can still see it here. A group of well-educated naturalists is usually on board too, and they spend a lot of time getting to know you as well as giving you information on the islands and the animals that occupy them.

#2. It's Difficult to Fly Directly In

Because Galápagos is closed off, you can't just fly in. They have a few airports, but it's more difficult to find tickets and good flight times, and you always have to have several connections. Instead, what we did is we flew to Quito, stayed for a few days, and then flew to Galápagos. It's hard to do it any other way simply because of the flight times, and you get a good introduction to the Ecuadorian culture. Let me tell you, the fruit-kebobs in Quito are amazing.

Once we arrived in Quito and waited a few days, we took a taxi to a small airport, where I was given the regular security check and dropped off my baggage. From there, we were flown on a small plane and dropped off at Baltra Island at Seymour Airport, which was also very small. Ecuadorians have a thing for small airports. Once we arrived at Seymour, our luggage was given yet another screening, and we forced to throw out any food or eat it there, and waited about an hour until a bus came, picked us up, and dropped us off at a port, where our cruise company came and picked us up with several Zodiacs (small, inflatable boats). This whole process took about seven hours, which leads me to my next tip--

#3. Plan Ahead!

It is really important to plan ahead when visiting Galápagos. As in, super important. With the tricky ticket scheduling, finding the right cruise company, and all the other details, you will get really messed up if you start planning only a month ahead. I promise, it will become a nightmare if you go this route. Book hotels ahead of time if you fly in and decide to stay in Quito, as well as taxis and other transportation. There's nothing worse than being in a foreign city at night and having no clue where to go.

(Also, it goes without mentioning that when planning what to bring to Galapagos, you should count on bringing a wet suit and good hiking shoes. The water is freezing if you decide to snorkel, and walking on lava field is painful without good-soled shoes. Sunscreen, of course, and a camera are always good to bring as well).

Another benefit of planning everything out ahead is that you'll know exactly how much time you will spend travelling, and you can configure your schedule around the trip. The fact that you won't be stressed and worrying that you booked the wrong flight or are going to the incorrect hotel will also allow you to enjoy the trip to its full potential.

#4. Make Sure yoU have a Big Budget

I'm not gonna lie. Galápagos is expensive. That seal's face expresses how I feel about the cost. Plane tickets, hotel reservations, and cruise ship costs can add up to range from five-thousand to ten-thousand dollars spent per person, and we spent only one week total travelling. Some expedition vessels will even charge one thousand dollars per night spent lodged on the ship. It costs a ridiculous amount of money, and we had to cut down on a lot of things to be able to afford this one. All of us joked that we would be camping in our backyard for our next few trips.

However, if you choose tickets ahead of time and take advantage of special deals, the cost should be more manageable. After all, it really is about being money-smart and realizing when something isn't a good deal.

That said, I'd say a reasonable cost is around six-thousand American dollars per person for five days spent in Galápagos. Again, it can vary based on the company you go with (and the time of year you go), but that's the amount of money you'll be spending for a quality experience. And because thinking about the price makes me cry inside, let's move onto the fifth tip.

#5. Visiting Galápagos Is Totally Worth It

Now, time for the gushy part of this post. Sure, it may seem complicated and over-expensive, but I promise getting to Galápagos isn't as bad as it seems. If you plan ahead and are smart about it, you shouldn't have any trouble. Once you visit the islands and see the clear azure waters, the seals swimming fluidly through the sea, and the bright coral reefs, you'll know exactly what I mean. It may seem kind of scary deciding to go on this big, and kind-of expensive, a trip, but it is not as bad as it seems, and you won't regret a single minute of it.

This now concludes my five things you should know before visiting the Galápagos Islands. If you have any questions, comment below or click that comment button. And if you've visited Galápagos and have any other tips you think I missed, definitely share them down below! We could use your advice.

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iNTRO TO THE gALápAGOS iSLANDS

2/17/2016

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If you've been keeping up with this blog, you know that the topic of Alaska has ended. That trip was remarkable, and left a resounding impression. However, since it will be a couple of months until I start to travel again, I thought I would switch the new topic to a trip I took a few years ago, the Galápagos Islands.

Galápagos is one of the few places I've been homesick for. Which is a little weird, considering I've never been homesick for my actual home. I guess the fact that I know I won't see this fascinating group of islands again for a long time makes my heart pang.

Look at me now, getting all emotional.

However, Galápagos really was something special. There is nothing else like it on Earth. A cluster of islands straddling the equator, this territory is governed by Ecuador. If you look at the map below, you'll see that the main island, Isabela Island, is shaped like a sea horse. Isabela-- and all the islands-- are volcanic. That means, when you take hikes over the islands, you'll often see a cone shaped mountain or get to walk over intricately swirled lava fields. If I remember correctly, more than one volcano is still active. And because of the not-yet-eroded volcanic soil, not all of it is a lush rainforest. On the smaller islands you will often see skeletal silver trees that have lost their leaves during the peak of the dry season, or spindly little shrubs poking up from the ground.

The geology of Galápagos, with the sparkling white beaches, twisted lava fields and volcanoes, and pounding turquoise waves paired with the exotic wildlife made this place seem like a wild paradise. Like a hidden Garden of Eden. It is so untouched, pristine, it seemed like a dream being able to explore it. Though parts of it were forbidden to visit, in an effort to protect the delicate ecosystems, the many parts we could see made me feel like I was back in time with Charles Darwin. This place is truly amazing. And while usually I post photographs that I take, we were limited on equipment for this trips, and so most of the photographs are either taken by siblings or other relations.

What makes Galápagos truly incredible is the wildlife. Very few of the animals have been under threat from humans, save for those carried off by pirates and curious naturalists. As a result, they aren't afraid of humans, and you can get remarkably close to them without them being afraid or vicious. Or, more accurately, they get close to you.

On the islands, some of the most common animals include sea turtles, crabs, sea lions, seals, penguins, Blue-footed Boobies (yes, boobies), marine iguanas, the Galápagos Hawk, Frigate-birds, and of course, the famous Galápagos Tortoise. Admittedly, there are hundreds of other species of birds and fish, but I think my fingers would fall off if I tried to type them all.

With that in mind, I'm going to wrap up this into. I'm very excited to be doing this topic. To be able to share and write about this spectacular group of islands makes my fingers itch with anticipation. While Alaska may have captured my heart, this place seems to have reeled in my soul. Dramatic, yeah I know, but it certainly feels like it.

And honestly, I think that's the real beauty and power of Galápagos.

**Have any opinions about this new topic? Let me know down below in the comments, or send me a message by going to the 'contact' page. I'd love to hear your opinions!

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I'm Sylvie, someone who thrives on Vitamin Sea! With a love for exploring, writing, and reading, this blog is where I share my travelling tips and adventures.

We Get Bombarded by Quito's High School Population

Five THings You Must Know Before Going to GalápaGos

#1. Cruises Are the Way to GO

#2. It's Difficult to Fly Directly In

#3. Plan Ahead!

#4. Make Sure yoU have a Big Budget

#5. Visiting Galápagos ​Is Totally Worth It

iNTRO TO THE gALápAGOS iSLANDS

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#5. Visiting Galápagos Is Totally Worth It