Ecuador

In 1999 we visited Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Travelogue



Puertolago Classic Cruises Pelican 1
Puertolago, San Pedro Lake, Imbabura, North Ecuador Galapagos Classic Cruises were our agents in the UK. Pelican flight at night, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands




Otavalo

Anyone visiting Ecuador should not miss a trip to Otavalo, a town in the northern province of Imbabura near Columbia. There are two main markets, the animal market and the craft market. Adjacent to the craft market is a small fruit, vegetable and food market. Every day Otavalo Indians travel many miles to trade. On Saturday they wear their best clothes to meet with friends and family. Visitors tend to call them Otavalo Indians. Locals call themselves Imbayas, people who live by Imbabura Volcano.

Otavalo 1 Otavalo Veg 1 Otavalo 6 Otavalo Veg 2
Imbaya Girl 1 Imbaya Girl 2 Imbaya Girl 3 Imbaya Girl 4
Otavalo lunch Otavalo 2 Otavalo 3 Otavalo 1




Galapagos Islands

600 miles West of Ecuador the Galapagos Islands lie directly on the Equator. They became World famous when Charles Darwin published the Origin of Species. His theory of Evolution by Natural Selection was realised by observing the many adaptations of the finches on the Galapagos Islands. Many other species on the Galapagos Islands are used by scientists today to substantiate Darwin's theories. Galapagos is the name for Giant Tortoises. Despite appalling treatment by buccaneers in the last two centuries, most species on the Islands have little fear of man.

Hawk 1 Mocking 1 Whimbrel Boats
Galapagos Hawk, Rabida, Galapagos Islands. Mockingbird, Punta Pitt, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Whimbrel, Puerto Egas (James Bay), Santiago, Galapagos Islands. Coral I and II, Punta Espinosa, Fernandina, Galapagos Islands.
Tropic 1 Tropic 1 Tropic 1
Tropic Bird, Punta Suarez, Espanola, Galapagos Islands. Frigate Bird, North Seymour, Galapagos Islands. Land Iguana, Urvina Bay, Isabella, Galapagos Islands.

Flamingo 1 Sealion 1 Hogfish 1 Crab 1
Flamingo in a lagoon of shrimps and pink micro-organisms, Rabida, Galapagos Islands. Californian Sealion, Turtle Rock, Gardner Bay, Espanola, Galapagos Islands. Streamer Hogfish (Verja Ribetenda), Turtle Rock, Gardner Bay, Espanola, Galapagos Islands. Sally Lightfoot Crab, Punta Espinosa, Fernandina, Galapagos Islands.
Dove 1 Heron 2 Red-footed booby 1 Iguana and Lizard 1
Galapagos Dove, Puerto Egas (James Bay), Santiago, Galapagos Islands. Lava Heron, Puerto Egas (James Bay), Santiago, Galapagos Islands. Red-footed booby, Punta Pitt, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands. Lava Lizard and Marine Iguana, Punta Espinosa, Fernandina, Galapagos Islands.
Sanderling Darwin Finch Yellow-tailed surgeon Giant Tortoise
Sanderling, Puerto Egas (James Bay), Santiago, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Darwin Finch, Puerto Egas (James Bay), Santiago, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Yellow-tailed Surgeon fish (Chancho), Turtle Rock, Gardner Bay, Espanola, Galapagos Islands. Giant Tortoise, Darwin Centre, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands.
Masked Booby 1 Masked Booby 2 Sealion 2 Blue-footed Booby 1
Masked Booby, Punta Suarez, Espanola, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Californian Sealion, Punta Suarez, Espanola, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Blue-footed Booby, North Seymour, Galapagos Islands.
Carol and Sandy Mocking 1 Whimbrel Boats
Carol and Sandy. Mockingbird, Punta Pitt, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Whimbrel, Puerto Egas (James Bay), Santiago, Galapagos Islands. Coral I and II, Punta Espinosa, Fernandina, Galapagos Islands.