We're back from the Galapagos!

What a great adventure but I have over 550 photos to cull through as well as getting caught up in emails, Facebook, newly moved to Cuenca friends and my writing group meeting. Phew!

So here are a few photos to whet your appetite...

 

Ciao for now!

Galapagos bound!

We got offered a deal we couldn't refuse. We leave next Tuesday, the 10th, taking the intercity bus to Guayaquil. We'll spend the night at the Marriott Courtyard with friends, Chad & George, and Bo & Linda. We will fly out on Wednesday and this is our itinerary.

Santa Cruz Island+ Full Day

(2 Islands)

4 Nights 5 Days

Día 1: Welcome in Baltra Airport
Visit to the Top of Santa Cruz Island (Ranch First Fruits + Lava Tunnel+ The Twins)

Día 2: Full Day tour to Isabela & Concha Perla, or Full Day to Floreana Island, or Santa Fe

Día 3: Charles Darwin Research Station + The German Beach+ Las Grietas

Día 4: Tortuga Bay Beach. City Tour

Día 5: Departure to the airport

Includes:

• Airline Ticket from Guayaquil
• Land and Water Transportation
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Excursions
• Professional Tour Guide
• Assistance at the airport

Not included:

• Tourism Card INGALA $10.00
• Entrance to Galapagos National
• Park ($10.00) Residents
• Dock Fee (Isabela Island) ($2.00)

Yes, we will take LOTS of photos (hopefully none of me melting, this is the warmest month of the year in the Galapagos).

Ciao for now!

An evening out....

We were invited out to celebrate the birthday of a good friend and last night was the event. We had never been to the restaurant, Goda, but had been told it was good. Well, it was better than that! Food, service, ambiance, great price - our new spot to take out of town visitors (if they ever come visit us). It's affiliated with the El Dorado Hotel. The address is Gran Colombia 7-87 y Luis Cordero, Cuenca, Ecuador. [warning - photo intensive blog]

Here are some photos of our celebration - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Pat!

THE PEOPLE:

THE FOOD:

THE DESSERTS:

THE RESTAURANT:

THE MAGAZINE:

Even our waiter got his photo taken with Zero Latitude magazine!

We just left our review on TripAdvisor...we will be back!

Ciao for now!

The rest of February....

I know, late again. But really, it's been an extraordinarily BUSY month. Honest! Here is a bit of a photo journey to prove it...

Stu went to Florida for his retired Firefighter reunion.

Stu stopped in to see my brother & his wife before heading to Key Largo for some scuba diving.

While he was gone, I got sick but was finally well enough to attend a Newcomer luncheon at Don Colon's Restaurant.

I had to visit Mall del Rio to pay our Internet, Telephone & Health Insurance. While there I finally got a good photo of this tag on a sweatshirt.

Valentine's Day brought flowers to almost every street corner.

Stu arrived home on Valentine's Day with this beautiful bouquet.

We met up with some motorcycle friends as well as a local, great lunch at Don Colon's.

Our favorite 2-story artisan shop is closed for renovations so many of them have set up shop alongside the cathedral, opposite Don Colon's.

More artisans....

Another meet 'n greet with Moe and her mom, Winnie. Moe plans to move to Ecuador and Winnie will visit during the frigid Boston winters.

A little excitement at the end of our street...glad I have a camera with a good zoom!

The flowers lasted almost two weeks, blooming beautifully!

A new print magazine was launched in town, you might recognize the name at the bottom?

The launch party for the magazine...over 500 people attended. It was a nice mix of locals and expats with several news media folks as well.

So yes, it's been a busy month. Oh, and I've gone to yoga almost every Monday and Friday, written a short story for an anthology to benefit a friend, helped 4-5 friends look for a new apartment, attended a steering committee meeting for a writing conference, started my own writing group, "Writing Our World (in Cuenca)", created a newsletter and website for that AND created the start of a website for our good friend, Simon Cordero, for his restaurant and jewelry business at Magnolia Caffe.

I think it's time for a nap!