Eliza was here. Galapagos Edition

Blue-footed Boobie- Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

This is going to be one of those "Pictures speak louder than words..." posts. I seem to be using up all of my words in my Independent Study Project. The pictures are big, so I apologize in advance for the excessive scrolling!

Galapagos was absolutely incredible, no regrets whatsoever. It was an awesome week to just take off, get out of the city, meet some really cool people (Our Dutch travel companions used an agency called "Eliza was Here"-- hence the title of today's post! In case you speak Dutch, and/or are from the Netherlands and looking for a travel agent, I'm including the link.)

HECUA group: Emily, me, Torrey, & Chris

Our Yacht- The Rumba

Anyway, perhaps someday we can sit down and I can tell you about one of my new favorite places, ever, in person. Some quick highlights-- whale-watching, blue-footed boobies, snorkeling, swimming with sea lions, our chef with mad boat-cooking skills, etc...

Sea lions- Isla Santa Fe


Me & Torrey- Albatross watching, Isla Española

We saw these guys on our first day, much to our guide's relief. I had already explained that for the money I was spending, if I didn't actually see a flamingo, Juan (guide) would be dressing up and acting like one :-)

Galapagos Post Office crazy mail exchange-- Isla Floreana

A beach absolutely infested with sting-rays. Cool, but we all definitely kept our distnace!

Blue-footed boobies were definitely my favorite! Mama and her little egg-0s.

Galapagos Tortoises- Isla Santa Cruz
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After a week in the Galapagos, it was hard to be impressed by Ecuador's coastal towns of Montañita and Puerto Lopez even for the short time we spent there; still I'm glad that I visited and got to know each town's specific personality. Above is a photo from Puerto Lopez, a fishing community. Hundreds of birds attacked the barrels of fish being brought in from the bay.