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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #271  
Old 10 Nov 2013
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Macas

Very soon after you spend hours going down. We stopped for lunch in a small village and opted for fried fish instead of Guinea pig. I am a giant here at 5 ft 4 in my boots (5 ft 1 without).


to macas 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


to macas 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


to macas 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We needed to cross a valley from one road to another and this involved a very long construction zone. The rest of the ride was a smooth curvy ride. After about 70 km we had not seen a single other vehicle and we began to wonder if the road was actually closed. We were very relieved when we saw a bus coming up the hill.


to macas 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


to macas 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We had planned to stop in the village of Alshi, but arriving there we found no hotels so we had to keep going. 25 km further is the large town of Macas. Here we found a fairly big hotel on a quiet street and parked the bike in the lobby. The best part of the hotel was the ice cream shop next door.


IMG_2375 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


IMG_2369 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


This town is famous for the legend surrounding a painting of the virgin that apparently under went some miraculous changes in about 1500 AD.


IMG_2372 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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  #272  
Old 10 Nov 2013
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Banos

Today we had a short ride to the holiday resort town of Bańos de Agua Santa named for the many hot spring spas or baths of sacred water in the town. We did see this huge snake on the way to remind us we are not in Kansas anymore.


DSC08015 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

The first 130 km north is a strait road thru the jungle and the last 60 is a curvy road along the river and there are several almost 1 km long tunnels.


FILE1430 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


FILE1446 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


It is the adventure capital of the country, with hiking, biking, and rafting. The near by Tungurahua volcano has been very active lately and the road on the other side of it is currently closed. The town has been evacuated in the past, but the last time was about 10 years ago. The route of evacuation is painted on the streets with big white arrows. We did a walk about to one end of town to see some of the spas and the large Cascada of the Virgin. The water here is supposed to be blessed.


DSC02239 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02234 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02230 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC02236 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




The Basilica here is also dedicated to the Virgin of the Holy Water (Nuestra Señora del Agua Santa). It is named after the vision of the Virgin Mary they say was seen near the waterfalls and it was built with volcanic rocks. The inside is lined with paintings depicting the Virgin's miracles, including saving the church from multiple volcanic eruptions and saving people from other disasters.


DSC02215 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02218 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02220 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02223 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02219 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02224 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

The next day we rode along the route of the cascades and then up the mountain to try to see the active volcano.


DSC02242 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02244 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02246 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02248 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02250 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC02257 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

The famous tree house has a view of the lava flows and the volcanic measurement equiptment.


DSC02259 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02252 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02255 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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  #273  
Old 10 Nov 2013
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Napo

Retracing out steps back 60 km to Puyo we then headed north into the Amazonia and to the Napo river lodge.


FILE1503 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


FILE1568 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


FILE1577 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We made it to Napo town and then had to cross the river on the closed bridge. Respecting the sign we headed across, but needed to take off the pannier to get past the truck blocking the bridge.


FILE1666 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


FILE1684 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


FILE1700 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

This bridge lead to an insanely perfect paved road thru the jungle.


FILE1706 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We had booked into a jungle lodge for the night, which was right on the raging river.


DSC08032 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC08023 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02279 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02283 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02290 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

There is no electricity so they put out oil lamps for you to see.


DSC02289 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02314 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


There was a great demonstration on making chocolate.


DSC02297 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02305 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC02307 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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  #274  
Old 23 Nov 2013
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Galapagos

Headed back to Quito over the mountains it was 10 degrees and then poured rain for about 20 min. We were lucky because about an hour after we arrived it REALLY started to rain, like build an ark rain. We stored the bikes away with Diego at Mariscal Motors and packed up a few things for a trip to the Galapagos. We managed to get an unreal deal on a first class boat. The other option is to fly to San Cristobal Island and book there. The deals are even better on the island especially if you can be flexible on dates. Last minute spots are listed on Galapagos Cruise Links - All Availabilities

After a sleepless night worrying we would sleep in and miss the flight, we were a bit tired to start the day. First there is the 60 min drive to the new Quito airport to which they have yet to complete the road. Luckily there was no line at the tourist office where you must pay 10$ each for a tourist card. Then you have your luggage screened to make sure you have no fruits or plants. Last you check in for boarding. There is a short flight to Guayaquil to exchange some passengers and then a 2 ½ hour flight to San Cristobal Island. Flying in there is nothing but ocean for 1000km and then you finally spot land.


galapagos santa fe 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



galapagos santa fe 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Just before landing they open all the luggage bins and spray some sort of disinfectant. It is a bit weird, but required by the park service. They did not however spray the hand luggage under the seats.


galapagos santa fe 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

After landing you pass thru passport screening and then pay 100$ each for park entry. Nationals pay 6.50$. Our guide Walter met us at the airport.


galapagos santa fe 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The animals even in town at the docks are everywhere. We had a short ride to the boat, lunch and a safety briefing. We did take this seriously since our crew rescued a boatload of people 5 weeks ago when their wood boat hit a rock at 1 am and sank.


galapagos santa fe 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC08073 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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  #275  
Old 23 Nov 2013
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Galapagos

This afternoon we bussed it across the island to the Giant Turtle breeding center.


galapagos santa fe 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Galapagos by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

That night we had a short and calm sail to Santa Fe. Here we walked the beach seeing sea lions, giant cactus, and land iguanas.


galapagos santa fe 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



galapagos santa fe 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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  #276  
Old 23 Nov 2013
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Galapagos

The first snorkel was today and swimming with the sea lions is totally amazing. It’s like being in a tropical fish bowl.


galapagos santa fe 83 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 84 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 90 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 92 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Coming back for lunch and a rest the boat has a following of frigate birds.


galapagos santa fe 99 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 100 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 106 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The afternoon dinghy ride thru the mangrove got us up close to Turtles, Pelicans, and Blue Footed Boobies.


galapagos santa fe 102 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 111 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 114 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 118 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


galapagos santa fe 122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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  #277  
Old 28 Nov 2013
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Galapagos

During the night we had an uneventful sail to San Salvador Island and landed on Espumilla beach.





This is a brown sand beach where we saw turtle nests and sea turtles mating.






There were several huge Galapagos hawks.





There were the tracks of crabs in the sand and the tracks of sea turtles from their nests.





We went snorkeling from the beach and saw dozens of turtles and one pair mating, which can take 6 hours by the way.















Watching the birds fish was so fascinating. The pelicans hit the water like a belly flop, but the boobies dive in like an arrow.





Daniel as usual was looking for something riskier than swimming with turtles and so he asked the Capitan if they could jump from the top deck of the boat. The brave few did go for it.



In the afternoon we went for a dinghy ride along the cliff to see many birds.











We floated into a cave and were followed by a sea lion.





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Last edited by saralou; 29 Nov 2013 at 00:13.
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  #278  
Old 29 Nov 2013
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Galapagos

Lastly today we went for a long walk on the lava to see hundreds of marine Iguanas and almost as many sea lions.











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  #279  
Old 29 Nov 2013
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Genovesa Island

Tonight we had an 8 hours sail to Genovesa Island in the north. It was sort of like trying to sleep in a washing machine.

The first walk of the day we went along the cliffs to see masses of Blue Footed, Red Footed, and Nazca Boobies, and Gulls and their babies.













This is the Darwin finch that started it all.



The snorkel today was in poor visibility conditions, but there was still tons to see.











In the afternoon we headed higher up the island onto the Cliffside.







The birds are completely unafraid of you and they are everywhere. We spotted an owl and saw a Boobie feeding and defending her chick from a frigate bird.















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  #280  
Old 29 Nov 2013
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Bartholome

Tonight we had a 7 hours sail south to Bartolome Island. I guess we should have been a bit more worried when they handed out anti seasickness pills at dinner and we started sailing as soon as dinner was over. It was an incredibly rough first hour, but the second was better and we did finally sleep.





This landing was on a volcanic landscape where you walk up to the mirador to view the lava field and the most popular view in the islands.





















Today’s snorkel was epic with tons of fish, penguins, sea lions, turtles, rays, sharks, and shellfish.



























The highlight of the trip was swimming with the penguins. They come right up to you. One even wacked Dan in the camera on video.







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  #281  
Old 2 Dec 2013
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GREAT STORY....LOVE THE PICS....WILL BE IN sANTIAGO NEXT SUNDAY TO CONTINUE MY JOURNEY.....

WARMEST REGARDS
BOB
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  #282  
Old 2 Dec 2013
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Talking Hello

Hi Sara and Daniel
Loving your tales from the road and very envious about your animal encounters on the Galapagos.
Keep the great photos coming!
ride Safe
Tiffany
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  #283  
Old 2 Dec 2013
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Santi

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hickery View Post
GREAT STORY....LOVE THE PICS....WILL BE IN sANTIAGO NEXT SUNDAY TO CONTINUE MY JOURNEY.....

WARMEST REGARDS
BOB
Hey that's great! We will be there Dec 10. Maybe we can get a ?

Sp
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  #284  
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Tiffany

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiffany View Post
Hi Sara and Daniel
Loving your tales from the road and very envious about your animal encounters on the Galapagos.
Keep the great photos coming!
ride Safe
Tiffany
Hey thanks for the shout out. We are inspired by your adventure! I hope we can meet on the road some day.

Sara
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  #285  
Old 5 Dec 2013
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Sara and Daniel,

Would love to get together..........Antonio and I will be staying in an area known as Providencia at Hotel Pisa 1. We will be purchasing Chinese Euromots and heading south after Christmas.
email: haysandy@gmail.com

All the Best

Bob
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