Wednesday February 13, 2013

Wednesday February 13/13 update  # 367

Even though we didn’t have to, both of us were awake shortly after 7am so we hurriedly got ready and headed out to find Las Grietas east of our location and past the beach where I swam.  We were warned to wear solid footwear and to take the walking sticks that are in the place here.  Both were very good advice for traversing very rough and coarse volcanic rock for about a kilometer.  It was slow going on the way there as it was quite unfamiliar and with wet mud in places.  We had to cross two small creeks by walking on just a few rocks so I was very concerned for Bella behind me,   I would forge a path but she would inevitably do her own thing anyway.   I sure didn’t want either of us to twist an ankle way out in this terrain.

Las Greitas is a series of huge fissures in the volcanic rock that connect with the ocean underground so you have two types of crystal clear emerald green water that is breathtaking.  Many people come here to snorkel or even jump from the cliffs.   The place is home to some very large fish and I heard mention of parrot fish somewhere.

The return trek was much faster because we were now familiar with the trail and smart enough to avoid any rocks with red slippery mud on them.  We had been there all alone in the building heat and met many people coming in as we were heading out.   We had to stop as a tour of Germans (they are everywhere here) then a tour of Ecuadorians went past.  Old grandmothers in sandals had us shaking our heads until we saw an idiot Ecuadorian carrying a young boy in his arms.  If that man lost his balance anywhere, they were both in for some major scrapes and bruises.  There seems to be no bounds to people’s stupidity.

Getting home around 9am was a relief as the relentless equatorial sun had me just soaked again and an immediate shower was again in order. 

Then we both retired to a comfortable couch or hammock or rocking chair and relaxed a bit.  The finches and mockingbirds kept me company on the upper terrace.

Around 11am I decided to try to get some photos of the wildlife near our boat dock, where we catch the water taxi.  I loaded my feet with sun block and wore my sandals again, determined to stay as much as possible under the protection of the small gazebo.  I saw a sea lion swim by, but couldn’t get a decent shot.   I was hoping he was headed to sleep on the next dock but no such luck.  Crabs kept skittering up and down the rocks avoiding any human contact.  At the next dock we would have frigate birds come to dry their wings while perched there.  Pelicans would cruise to and from the roof of that dock too.

However it was the marine iguanas that put on an never-ending show as they would swim up, climb up the rocks, over the stone walls, find a shady pot to sit for a while.   I have some incredible close-ups from as close as a foot away.  Doing so meant that I would have to brave the direct sun again and again but I would do the same thing again in a heartbeat.  So what if I had to have yet another shower upon my return…

The other four people returned from their snorkeling trip late so we headed out for supper at 6.  Bella had pasta and I had a very unusual salad with meat, eggs and mozza on top.  They were setting up for a big political rally fiesta with music, videos, and lots of people in the reigning party’s colours.  Correa had this election won before the campaign even started, we have seen almost nothing from any other parties, .regardless of all the millionaires running against him.

We got an ice cream for dessert and were enjoying the festivities when we saw the other 4 just getting off the boat for supper.  They will be back in time to play another round of Mexican Train Dominoes (the only game they have) before we all hit the sack for another early rising.
Sorry, no blg for the next 3 days as we go to another island and not bringing the laptop.

That was today’s excitement.  Hugs to all.