Floreana Island - Monday

We begin the day with a glass bottom boat excursion while others are fighting currents and waves attempting to snorkel. Once you have been Scuba diving, this is boring. Our boat has bad luck. We do not see a shark and the sea lions zip past too quickly.

In the afternoon, CJ finds a partner to kayak. Unlike his last two disastrous experiences where he kept sliding down and attempting to paddle on his back (not recommended), these kayaks allowed him to remain seated and enjoy the event. We paddled among sea turtles and sea lions.

Before returning to the ship, we visit the 'post office'. Since 1793 (at least) mariners have used a barrel on this island to leave mail in hopes a passing ship would retrieve and deliver mail. Today tourists leave post cards with the same hope. CJ and two other volunteered to read out the states of post cards and a surprising number of fellow passengers agreed to attempt to deliver them.

 

Espanola Island - Sunday

We visit Gardner Bay for snorkeling from gorgeous white sand beaches populated with sea lions. We immediately recall why we do not like shore scuba diving; getting into and out of the water is too much work. It is much easier to jump off a boat and climb a ladder than fighting waves and soft sand.

In the afternoon, we make a dry landing at Punta Suarez with sea lions, marine iguanas, Nazca boobies, albatross, lava lizzards, mockingbirds, and Darwin's finches. There is a long and hard 2.1km trail over rocks and a shorter 0.3km trail. What does one miss on the short trail? About 10,000 lava rocks!

Walking over and amongst these rocks is not for Carol's foot, and certainly not on the first day of the trip. Advertised as the most difficult of the trip, she passes.

On the way in, the Zodiacs must take care of strong waves breaking over nearby rocks.

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In addition to the advertised wildlife, we are treated to a hawk.

CJ trades photo ops with another couple.

Our departure is blocked by several sea lions. An alpha male sea lion arrives and challenges the male in the group. Our naturalist enlists the support of the naturalist from the next group and the two of them work to drive the sea lions from the path. At one point a juvenille sea lion with horrific scarring from a shark attack, goes after our naturalist.

Safely loaded and returning.

Arrival in Galapagos - Saturday

We fly to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos. Just before landing we observe a rock formation off the wing of our Avianca flight. By evening's end, Endeavor II will be circumnavigating it and serving the cocktail of the day.

Luggage is offloaded and placed in rows. A sniffer dog must pass on them before we are allowed to retrieve the luggage. Luggage goes directly to the ship. We board busses for a five-minute ride through the 'town'. If you do not believe the Galapagos are home to sea lions, you cannot make it onto the dock without seeing and navigating through them.

The group in front of us is boarding the Zodiac for the short ride to the ship. Note the sea lions lounging about the boarding area. They are large immovable objects and do not appreciate we have something to do.

It is a short ride to our home for the next week.

We board and have lunch. Endeavor II gets underway. We are invited to join the bar staff on the observation deck for a "Leon Dormido Cocktail" toast as we circle Kicker Rock and Stephen's Bay, the first anchorage of HMS Beagle with Darwin onboard.

 

Guayaquil

We fly from Miami to Guayaquil (Y-ah-key) on American. What a let down after Qatar!!!!

Lindblad's hotel selection is on of Guayaquil's best hotels, the Hotel Oro Verde. 

We arrive a day early and for the first time take the hop on/hop off double decker bus tour that is popular in most cities. It is an hour and a half tour. There is not much in Guayaquil to see.

We are fotunate to see the Ecadorinan Navy's sail training ship, Guayais, returning to port.

These fellows live in a down town city park.

On the back side of one steep city street is this place that looks like a tropical rain forest. It is a military facility and before we depart, weapons training begins.

Some typical housing.

The hotel.

Skiing Palisades Lake Tahoe

Before we head off for South America, why not fly across America from Florida to California and get cold?

CJ has not skied in four years. With record snows in California this year, the ski season has been extended to mid July. First week in May should be safe, and is.

Hours and days are reduced. We ski Alpine Meadows the first day and Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe) the second day.

Years ago while third deep in a ticket line a senior told the agent he was 75. After the hippie in front of him yelled, "Far out man!", CJ commented that he hope to live to 70 and skiing would be a bonus.

In this record year of California snowfall, they have had just shy of 60 FEET of snow. It is their snowiest season ever!

At Alpine, CJ's first run is beginner like. His second is half beginner and half up to about 75%. Unfortunately, his body and the altitude end his ski day with only two runs.

Although the second day at Squaw Valley is a bit better, bad light, a constantly changing snow surface, bad visibility, and an overweight body restrict him to two runs again. At least this second run is a long one.

What is now called Palisades Tahoe is known by us old timers as Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Olympics.

A good day of skiing should be followed by a hot tub session complimented by adult beverages.

We found good food and better brew at Great Basin located in Reno. A very good lager made with jalepenos, and an excellent vanilla stout.

That is the snow that remains in early May in the parking lot.

On the Way to South America

After flying 14 hours to Doha and 16 hours to Miami we spent the first two evenings in a new place: South Beach of Miami Beach. We are at a Mariott property and have upgraded to a suite. We are a short walk from the channel servicing Miami's cruise ship port.

The highlight of our Miami Beach stay is the impromtu sake tasting in the hotel Michelin starred Japanese restaurant. Amazing what happens when you show a little bit of interest in culture. Not only did we get a sake tasting but they comp'd us the two most expensive shots.