Quilotoa

Laguna de Quilotoa

Home at two am this morning
Drunk...
Over slept, my tour was supposed to start at 7am
They came and got me at my hotel.
Wish they had left without me.

                                                Live stock at the market of Saquisili

Went to the Saquisilí market.
Its considered the countries biggest and most important market
They sell animals, grain, textiles, fruits, fish, etc. Anything you would want or need can be found here.
It is still very traditionally indigenous. They come down from the hills
around 4am. Before they had pick up trucks they used start walking down from the surrounding hills
around 1am to be at the market by 5am. Its all over before noon.
The animal market ends around 9am.

It is also crawling with thieves.
All the markets are.
If you decide to go to one take nothing,
make sure nothing is in your pockets
And carry your bag in the front
Had my broken camera stolen with all my images of the past two months
Along with my chap stick...
Didn't feel a thing.
Having someone cut you off from your group is the most common way.
One person cuts you off someone else bumps into you
from behind. Poof your stuff is gone. Takes half a second.
It was a beautiful clear day
Terribly windy, so strong it was hard to stand up right
We were on the road called Latacunga Cevedo
Amazing view of the páramos on either side
Everything is golden because it is harvest time
They grow broccoli up to four times a year
It all gets exported to the US.
Potatoes is a main staple in the Andean diet.
The still live very traditionally like they had for generations.
The worst thing is when they go off to school
in the city because very few ever return home.

Girl running through the paramo

We stopped by Tigua.
Tigua is an artisan town. For the past 40years it has dedicated it
self to the arts. Their work is sold throughout the country
Some artist have even reached international acclaim.
In Tigua I learned about the legend of the Cóndor
The Cóndor is found in all the traditional paintings.

"A shepherdess was very sad and lonely.
She would go out and care for her sheep over the páramos
When one day a boy appeared dressed in white scarf,white pants
and a red poncho. "He was the Cóndor.
He approached her and would help her heard her sheep.
With the passing of time
she would invite him to walk around la Laguna Quilotoa
But one day while heading the sheep,
he took her far away. The girl had two dogs Azucena and
Amapola. They took the the sheep back to her parents
and told them what happened. That the Cóndor had kidnapped
the girl and took her to a place called CONDOR MATZI.
The family went off to eschew her.
The found her in a very high cave. They managed
to get her down with some rope. They locked her in her room.
She was so sad. She managed to make smoke signals.
The Cóndor saw the smoke and went to her window.
He took her far far way. In a few days she too turned into a cóndor
and they lived happly ever after".

I was not enjoying any of these places
I was only thinking of my lost images
Each one would flash in my mind
So vividly reminding me of what I will never be
able to recapture.

After more sweeping views and going up and down the Andes
We finally reach Quilotoa.
Quilotoa is a water-filled caldera about two miles wide
It is beautiful. Soft turquoise water with the twin Illinizas in the back
ground. Only the south Illiniza has a snow cap.

As you go down the path to the base of the crater
it feels like Greece with the white winding cliffs.
and mules bringing tourist up from the lagoon.

The soft white volcanic sand and the slight steep decline
made the going a little hazardous, but the
only thing that was really in danger was my ego
hate to make it down sliding on my ass.

My "horse"

As you get closer to the water you can see lots of tiny bubbles coming up to the surface. The water is sulfuric and also has a very high salt concentration. Legend had it that it used to be connected to the ocean.The water is nice and cool. Some areas around the crater are thermal.

I took the "horse" ride back up the crater $8.
I have never ridden a horse.
Technically I still haven't.
I was terrified.
Had trouble getting on the poor beast.
Then it started moving. I almost chickened out.
My heart was pounding out of my chest.
I must of had ten minor heart attacks!
Just as I finally figure out how to hold on to the
saddle they coil the rope into reins and hand it to me!
Of course the poor thing has to just walk up on the very precipice of the cliff. (Did I mention my fear of heights) and the Andean boy who was trailing behind kept pulling his tail and hitting him with a stick not helping at all. I felt like I was going to slip off the sides. It sure felt nothing like a carousel.
After a while I started to get the hang of it.
I started to enjoy the view winding back up.
Except when we were on the very edge then I just looked away.
It is actually a very pleasurable experience
being on a saddle....

At the top after a bit of fussing I managed
to get off in one piece. It is so windy at the top.
Got a new grey alpaca poncho $15(over paid). Did I mention how
much I love alpaca. Warmer and softer than
cashmere. Slept the 4 hour+ ride back to Quito.
I normally would of been in love with the view
Going though the valley of volcanoes. But I was still to upset
about my camera. At least I didn't let it completely
ruin my trip. The lagoon was so worth visiting.

Skip the markets, not worth the effort.
 

Rucu Pichincha

View from Rucu Pichinca

Woke up surprisingly early on Sunday around 8am
considering I was out dancing till 3am (finally a decent hour to close clubs
since I tend to start getting tired at that time. 2 am is too early and leaves me frustrated).
But didn't crawl out till 10am.
I like to lay in bed quietly
Just thinking or contemplating.

Had a late breakfasts at my favorite spot the Coffee Tree
Love to sit outside and they have awesome WiFi
Then I took a $3 cab ride to El TeliferiqO

El TeliferiqO is a tram or gondola ride up                                      
Cruz Loma. It takes you up to 4100m and the
start of Rucu Pichincha. You can start all the way at the bottom and
work your way to the crater.
But I figure fuck it, I'll ride up

The 8 minute ride terrifies me.
I HATE heights. ...but I do love being
high up. On a clear day you can see 12 volcanoes.
It was just all powdered blue skies and yellow sunshine

Rucu means elderly.
No one really knows the true meaning of Pichincha
since the Spaniards effectively killed off the people that spoke that lost language.
But very loosely translated taking roots from Kichwa and a few other liberties it kinda
 sorta
means from where water flows.
Since it still occasional does get a snow cap
and I assume it probably had a more permanent one at one point, fresh water used to flow down.

Kichwa is the correct spelling in Ecuador. The natives rejected the Spanish spelling Quechua. The native tribes of Ecuador are very stubborn. It took a long
and bloody war started in about 1460 by Inca Tupac (not just a rapper) Yupanqui with
200,000 Inca warriors and ending in 1496 by Inca Huayna Cápac in a very bloody massacre at
Lago Yahuarcocha.
After Huayna Cápac declared victory he ordered the death of all men capable of taking up arm. Effectively killing 30,000 men and throwing their bodies into the lake.
It turned the water into a bloody ocean.
Yahuar is blood cocha is lake.
The Incas presence was very brief in Ecuador under a hundred years before the Spaniards came
and conquered them.

Rucu Pichincha is 4,784 m (15,696 ft) above sea level
It is considered an Ultra
It is an active stratovolcano.

It is a good hike up the volcano
With a clearly marked path.
Only the crater is considered challenging.
It is bare volcanic rock and lots of it is very loose and soft

Took me two hours at a good leisurely pace to
reach the crater base.
I kept stopping to take in the breath taking vista
The air getting much cooler and brisk the higher up you go
I started out with a tank top
had to put on my alpaca sweeter and gloves
LOVE alpaca its cheap and better than cashmere
Also very breezy.

Unfortunately very dark clouds and
a slight drizzle started coming in.
I am no expert rock climber
Heck I was just very recently reminded
that I am not even a beginner rock climber
The climb is a bit challenging under idea conditions.
It would of been an hour Plus climb for me
I tend to be overly cautious and move at a snail pace
(As my dear friend likes to points out)
No way was I doing it blind.

I may be crazy but not suicidal!

Sadly I had to turn back
Wish I had gotten pictures of it on the way up when the peak was perfectly visible
But I did not want to spare the time
figure their was plenty of it on the way down

Had yummy hot chocolate that seared my soul
before making the final trek to the TeliferiqO
At that point my legs were a bit sore
Having done Cotopaxi and dancing till 3am the night before

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi

Woke up early at around 7am
Crawled out of bed a t 7:15
And by 7:30 I was ready ....
My guide did not show up until after 8am ......
Punctuality is not an Ecuadorian forte

Beautiful day
70 degrees, sunny and baby blue sky
The Andes magnificent on either side of the
Pan American highway
They are normally covered under heavy dark clouds invisible
to the eye

You could see all the volcanoes
Pichincha, Imbabura, cayambe,
Antisana illiniza, cotopaxi, Corazon and
countless others that I cannot recall

I never realized that these were part of the Andes range
When I think of the Andes I think of Chile and Patagonia
and impossible huge snow capped tops

My aunt in Tenguel has a beautiful view of them from
her living room balcony that I have always admired
only till recently was I made aware that they were part of the range.

After a little over an hour drive we begin to enter
Parqué Nacional Cotopaxi.
The drive in is beautifully surrounded by pine trees,
chuquirahuas, pumamaquis, romerillo, and capuli.

The first stop is Laguna Limpiopungo. It
is fresh water where small different duck species live.
Not very deep at all about 50cm.
The water is considered toxic due to all the volcanic
gases so no fish live there.
Saw a beautiful golden Andean fox.
Condors used to be common but are now in danger of extinction.
Sincholagua and Rumiahui were also very visible from the lagoon.
There is a small path that leads around the lagoon.
Being there in la Sierra surrounded by the peaceful
tranquility of nature and the fresh air just
ignites and rejuvenates my soul.
It is the only time that my rational and
over analytical brain fully reaffirms my belief in God, in humanity and
most importantly myself.
This here is his church and I can hear his voice singing
within my soul.

The warm sun kissing my skin,
the fresh air filling me with life coursing threw my veins
I am just grateful
Grateful to be alive and trying to
visually experiencing everything all around me
It is so amazing that it overwhelms my senses.
It is too much to take in
All I can do is just breathing smile and pray that
my brain will be able to recall it all in my old age

Laguna Limpiopungo

Wow I am in tears just writing about it now
Hell I was in tears a few times while there too

All I could feel at that moment was
This is what I was born for
This is what life is all about
This is worth living for
It is the only thing worth dying for.
             .            .          .
You are not allowed to stray from the path, unless you want to
see frantic waving from the park ranger.
Along the path is a cold fresh water stream
I figured fuck it...
I sat down beside it and took a cool sip out of my cold
cup hand. It was sweet

I just wanted to walk on forever along the knots and hills
Unfortunately I was not alone
So we headed back to the car and began the bumpy car ride to the parking lot at 4100m above sea level.
Its like a delicate mating dance navigating on the unpaved dirt road

Glacier melting

Would LOVE to make love up on the glacier,
but that is a totally different story in need of a male protagonist....

Anyway
This is my second time hiking up Cotopaxi
The first time I was NOT acclimated and blacked out briefly in the car lot.
I went up the side of the volcano in tears
I was mad at myself because even though my body was fine. My lungs, heart and head were exploding
I was in tears before getting to the refuge
The only thing that kept me from quitting
a few yards from 4810m above sea level
was stubbornness, stupidity and shear raw anger at myself for being so weak.
 It was so bad I had to lay down
backwards feet facing the crater a few time
on the way down.
Had blood in my nose
Never even came close to the glacier.

This time I knew how bad it could be
I was not prepared for how easy it was.
We went straight up the path
It is considered harder because it is not winding up
and it is a steep incline.
I had my pink silk striped scarf wrapped around my face
My alpaca jumper with the hoodie up to keep me warm
and my huge Jackie O like white sunglasses covering my eyes.

It was a very warm day
But the assailant winds make it freezing cold
Managed to buy a pair of alpaca gloves for $3 on the way in
The wind throws small jagged rocks into your face
It makes a hail storm seem like rainbow kisses.

I had the biggest smile on my face the entire way
hidden behind my scarf and warm breath

I COULD BREATH!!!!

The top is visible 

My lungs were fine taking in the crisp mountain air
My heart ....
I couldn't feel my heart
it was not exploding out of my chest.
Occasionally I would get a little dizzy and or light headed.
All that did was remind me to slow down breath deep, relax and admire the view

This taught me the first time I went up
that being the fast or the first to make it
does NOT matter. It is just enough to make it.
It is journey that matters. After all it is not going anywhere
It had been there long before my existence and will continue
to be there long after I perish.

First time it took me over two hours.
This time I made it in one hour, stopping
a lot at my slower than a giant turtle pace

Not bad for the girl that cannot do stairs
But I can conquer mountains.

Cotopaxi is considered the third world's tallest active volcano
It is 5,897 meters above sea level
It is actually an easy mountain to climb
Great for beginners
It is considered an Ultra and is a stratovolcano
Climbing Cotopaxi is alpine F/PD grade.

Made it to the refuge
Ordered hot chocolate and I actually felt
like I could eat. So I ordered the chicken soup
It had no meat was so flavorful hot and the little
noodles are easy to digest. Cost $6.50 bit steep.
Ate my chocolate bars
The chocolate is good for hiking
I think it helps release endorphin's
Coca leaves do nothing. There is a better plant to chew on
but I forgot its name.

You can stay over night at the refuge or about $17 a night
To help acclimate and undertake the midnight hike to the crater.

After resting and squirming like a worm on a hook
I was ready to hike up to the glacier
Left the refuge and less than 50ft away I
got so dizzy I had to sit down.
I thought OMG! I do not think I can do this. I can not
do this. I wanted to run back to the refuge
Probably would have if my head was not spinning.

Instead I just sat there. Enjoying the view and
warm sun. Almost no wind. The volcano blocks it a great deal
at that point. Just another reminder
to slow down.
Cotopaxi is surrounded by red earth. It
is iron that comes out from deep within the earth
when it erupted. Their is light black volcanic rock
and even lighter gray rocks that can be used as pumice stones.

This part of the hike was very easy
You are winding up the mountain at a barely noticeable slope.
Crossed a yummy looking chocolate stream
It looked like and I joked that it belonged to Willy Wonka
And that's what they serve at the refuge

Took me 45minutes to reach the glacier
I recall the glacier being much bigger
I heard it used to begin at the refuge
Global warming is melting it fast
It will be gone completely within the next 20 years
is my unscientific guess.

That thought also brings tears to my heart
Tears of grief and sadness.

I climbed up the glacier
I laid on it
Had it rain down on me I wanted to eat it 
You could see Quito from up their.

After nearly falling into the volcano twice
I bounced into the refuge for a celebratory beer
A can of Pilsner at $2 clear over priced!
But so worth it. Kept my gloves on
in order to hold the icy can

Bounced down the mountain
And I ran back to the car.
Awestruck at the strange motion less cloud formation
ahead of me. It look like you could physically walk across it.

View just past the refuge

The ride back to Quito was still amazingly clear
Even the crater was fully visible.

Got back a little after 5
Thought about napping
Instead I went out
Devoured my I swear to God cracked filled shawarma
Ran into an acquaintance in La Plaza Foch. Had two gin and tonics (two for one $7)

And then karaoke for 3 hours
By 10PM I was in Bungalow 6 and danced non stop till 3am

It feels good to be young, carefree and in the moment

Cuyabeno

Rio Cuyabeno

Amazon not my thing....
At least not at night sleeping all alone,
With the bugs and insects and the anaconda ....
I am scared out of my mind!

Got to Lago Agrio this morning
Took a two hour ride to Cuyabeno
Then another two hour canoe ride on the river.
I was having a blast
The sun was out
the wind in my hair
and I was on the water.

Beautiful rain forests
Saw squirrel monkeys
Bunch of monkeys actually whose names
I cannot recall.
Butterflies fluttering around everywhere

Anaconda Sun bathing on branches over the river
after having just feasted
It was beautiful with orange spots on
its belly.

I swam in the Cuyabeno river
I swam in waters infested with
piranhas, caiman, giant anacondas
and lord knows what else lurks beneath
the tea tinted water.

The Cuyabeno is in the Amazon basin.
On a black river system,
with a semi floating forest.

I actually was the first one to jump in.
Took an aussie 45 min to jump in
after he realized that nothing was feeding off of me.
Everyone else was to terrified.

It rains a lot in the rainforest...
                     .                 .                    .
I am so terrified at night.
I am all alone underneath my netting
Everything is attracted to my hair
I pulled out six bees from my hair
They do not have stingers
But they definitely bite

I am fine during the day
I have no problem hiking, swimming
or touching scorpion spiders
I even caught a piranha
Mine went flying around like a kite
I yanked it out a little to hard
Beautiful fish. Didn't feel scaled
But has these big red marks
looks like its bleeding.

I had a beautiful sunset swim
not far from were I was piranhas fishing
The jungle sky is beautifully lite up after a rain storm
Spotted a few pink river dolphins today
and baby caiman

I am still to afraid to let a tarantula crawl on me
Wolf spiders not so scary, but I just leave it alone
I did pick up a scorpion spider
I love the little poisonous dart frog, red back
blue bottom and yellow legs.
Apparently it is safe to hold, its when it makes blood contact that it is deadly.
               
                               .                  .                     .

Shaman gave me yage also called ayahuasca...

Went to the village early in the morning
Met Nacho a woolly monkey
He loves to cuddle and play
A guide found him in the forest as a baby.
He was crying like a human baby,
he was lost.
The guide took him back and raised him for awhile
Now he belongs to the village.
They consider him a pest.

Also held a pocket monkey
with the most softest fur.
He has racoon stripes on his tail
and had the same coloring
I learned and made pan de yucca
Its flat in the Amazon,
pan de yucca on the coast has yeast and is so yummy

Ayahuasca is a natural hallucinogen
The shaman did a brief cleansing ritual
I actually felt good afterwards
Even a bit light headed.
All he did was wave around some plants
He told me to take the ayahuasca on an empty stomach.
He said I can concentrate on the visions I want
or just relax and random ones will come to me
Since I threw up breakfast and barely ate lunch I figured I was good to go

I spent the day drinking loads of water.
At 10PM I drank the ayahuasca
It taste like bitter tea,
like when you leave the tea bag in too long.
Felt nothing

After 20minutes
I felt sick
The ayahuasca is also a poison
So you have to get the right amount or else....
It is also medicinal
Gets ride of parasites and stuff
Works like a cleanse

I threw up violently
To the point nothing was left
Started to leave the bathroom,
when I threw up again
Thank God I only drank water and
my tummy was empty.

I started t o walk back to my friends
when I realised I barely had coordination
Like walking on crashing waves
and my limbs where jelly like
When I finally managed to sit
I would close my eyes and I can see a giant bonfire

I started to panic a little
I had no idea what I got myself into
I felt like I was vibrating
Nothing can prepare you for it

I told myself to relax
I closed my eyes and I said
"I am open to receive all good and
positive things the universe and God  wants me to receive".

I never got my visions
But I did turn into a boa
and I could hear someone or something whispering in my left ear
Also when someone started to ask me if I was okay
it started off in English and half way it was a different language

I felt like I was trembling
But my body was perfectly still

Suddenly I wanted to seduce the men at my table
I wanted the hot aussie, the Swedish guy and the frenchie was back up
Fuck it I wanted all three at the same time
I started plotting my seduction
Only problem too many bitches at the table
The had wives and girlfriends

For being out of it I was actually very lucid
It didn't cloud my thought process.
All the animals and insects became so much clearer.

At midnight it was bedtime...
Had the aussie walk me back to my hut
It was near impossible to walk on water
Unfortunately couldn't shake the girlfriend.
Funny even on hallucinogenic and horny as hell
To the point where I was plotting orgies
I am still not attracted to women.

They knew what I was up too
They started flirting with me.

I was so not prepared for that surge of sexuality
Multiple partners has never been my thing
Not even as a fantasy.

I was so wide awake and full of energy
Even at the height of the experience I wanted to just dance
under the stars.
Most people can not even move on this stuff
And get very very sick
The whole trip is "suppose" to last 4 hours

In bed I just curled up into a ball
Taking in all the music from the forest
Staring at the night sky
(Cannot view the sky from my hut)
Slept without my netting
No bugs got me!!

Was up bright and early
Just layer their
Went for breakfast
Scrambled eggs and fruit
I was starving

Breakfast came back 15min later
That was rough
I just spent the day in my hammock
curled up under my blue fleece blanket

I didn't trust myself around people
There was no way in hell
I had no intention of fucking the guides
Orgy part had run its course
But still....
Restless.....

Napped a lot
Felt good
Managed to eat just a small portion of fish.
I think it might work as an appetite suppressant too
Was not hungry all day
Did not get sick again
Guess I wasn't filled with toxins
Others that try it hate it after....

I was told I need more ayahuasca
That's why I didn't get my visions.

I left the next day
Thought about staying with the shaman a few days
But I had enough rain
I barely wore my poncho
and was bare foot 95% of the time.

Love being bare foot
I like to feel the earth beneath me
Even in the city

Took a private ride back
Cost twice the fare of the bus $7
But it got me back a few hours faster
Also didn't have to go through the control centers
We were 25kilometres from the Colombian boarder
It is very dangerous and they try to smuggle in drugs.

Apparently the military  likes to strip search beautiful women
But if you tell them you are pregnant no one touches you.

We drove through cloud forest
So hauntingly beautiful
Saw waterfalls everywhere was just breath taking
We got to be on either side of the Andes
And reached the highest peak of the pan American highway

Got back into Quito around 9PM
By 915PM I was freshly showered
and out on the town ready to dance. 

Map of Ecuador with el Cuyabeno marked

Map of el Cuyabeno

Not Under The Same Moon

I miss the sky
My New York sky.

I miss staring up at the big dipper
the little dipper
and orions belt.

They have always been there
comforting me.
Reminding me that I am home

Instead I find myself staring up
into the heavens
and I feel lost.

What is this strange new sky?
Nothing is where it is suppose to be
It is all chaos.
So many new constellations,
nothing is in the right place.

I am all alone among a vast field of diamonds in the night sky

It is beautiful this alien sky,
making me feel confused.
Where am I in the world?
Where do I belong?
Have I strayed that far far away from
what I know .....
all I know.....

Have I ever really belonged there?
or anywhere?

La Isla de la Plata

The Beach at Puerto Lopez

Woke up tired this morning.
I did not want to go on my tour today.
But I rolled out of bed, brushed my teeth and ran out the door

As I was walking along the beach this morning, I noticed that the sun was finally shining
It's been cloudy and overcast since Saturday
Got into town with 20 minutes to spare
So I ordered bread with jam and butter and fresh raspberry juice

As I sat down to eat when it appears as if all the wasps in town
were circling me and they kept landing on my arms
Suddenly I felt something very different land on my left shoulder
It was a black and green butterfly

This is the second time this year that a butterfly had landed on me
I wanted to take a picture, but I was afraid to disturb it
So I just continued eating
I took it as a good omen for the day
Also to mean that I was tranquil and at peace
And it stayed on my shoulder for 15 minutes
It finally flew away when I made a move for my camera

So off I went in a van with a bunch of strangers
to Puerto Lopez
The town itself is not much to look at
But the beach is interesting
Lots of blue and green fishing boats
Waded across the water to get on my boat
The water was a beautiful turquoise blue
I sat in the back by the motors
basking in the sun

I love being on the water
It gives me a great sense of freedom and tranquility
The fresh air
The wind filling my lungs and water spraying face
The sun over head and glistening golden on the water
The taste of my salty lips
The exhilarating speed and turbulence of the water
It just makes me feel care free and alive
My mind just clears and there I am in the moment
I am blissful and at peace
I feel closer to God
Can almost hear him...
But the motors are too loud

Suddenly I see something
Its grayish black and in the water
Then a fin
Suddenly it goes up and then dives down
My first whale!
I saw the head then the body curves in an arch and finally the tail as it goes back under

Then another whale
This one came up with its white striped belly up doing a back flip
It was so beautiful
I felt overwhelmed and elated with emotions
I wanted to cry

Then another whale was swimming along side us
Then a pair of whales together
Suddenly a trio appeared
They where so close about five meters away
Then next to me four whales about two meters away swimming next to the boat
going up and down, up and down
They move with a lot of speed and grace like synchronized swimmers
I wanted to touch one, and feel their skin it looked so smooth

They where humpback whales
They start coming around this time of year
The guide said on a very very rare occasion you might spot an Orca

Took over an hour and a half to reach the island
When we got there the water was a beautiful light blue

That is when I saw this huge turtle
Several turtles, they are Pacific green sea turtles
I have never seen anything like it
They are so beautiful
They tossed lettuce from the boat and the turtles eat it up
Then they go all around and under the boat
They looked like they were about my size is if I where to curl up into a ball
Maybe even bigger

The island was beautiful
It was still green because they had a lot of rain over the winter
The island starts to go dry and lose its leaves like winter around this time of year
Which makes bird watching easier
But since the foliage is in the way we were limited in the kind of birds we could view
They start to mate now and pair up
They use the same path we do to gather things for their nest
They all build their nest on the ground
There aren't a lot of trees mostly bushes and a even a few evergreens
Saw a beautiful giant cactus

We had a few paths to choose from
I initially wanted to do the longer path because I love trekking
But then I would only get 30 minutes to snorkel
and it was blazing hot out
I haven't even started walking and already I was covered in sweat
I picked the shortest path which meant I would snorkel in two spots instead of one
Besides I am not really into bird watching
I just like to admire the scenery

My group set off
The beginning was the hardest part because we had to climb some really steep steps
I always forget to breathe
So I was panting heavily, which I hate to do
because then it appears that I might be tired which I never am.
Then we reached an overlook
Beautiful cliffs and the sea crashing below
It was so beautiful, and the cool breeze was amazing against my hot toasty skin
I got to taste and smell white grapes
It was not sweet and felt sticky, almost dry in my mouth even though
it was juicy like regular grapes.
Apparently school kids use it as glue or hair gel, just mix with water
And if you eat to many like 6 or 7 then its a laxative

Along the path I saw little fat yellow hummingbirds
Blue footed boobies, and tropical birds
But what I fell in love with was the view

Blue sky
Crystal clear waters
And the waves crashing against the cliff
I just wanted to climb down and lay on the golden sand
and swim in the sea forever

Back on the boat we went to our first dive spot
I just love how people assume I cannot do something
Or think I need help all the time
I must come off as fragile, helpless or dimwitted
I sat at the edge of the boat by the engine with my legs in the water
One of the giant turtles swam by and was coming towards me
I was told it would bite my toes if I did not get my feet out
I assume that might be painful
even though the turtle did not have one of those turned down snapping mouths

After I assured everyone that I CAN swim
I dove into the warm turquoise water

I love snorkeling
Saw the most beautiful fishes
Million of shapes and colours
Saw some serpent shaped ones with bright yellow ends and blue bodies
School of purple and blue small fishes
Beautiful coral reefs
And then suddenly a Pacific green sea turtle
We swam together for a while
Or at least I was stalking it

I had my head down for a full hour
Just kicking with my feet
my arms to my side mostly
Took me a few minutes to fully relax and take long even breaths through the tube
Once I was done I tossed the mask and tube onto the boat
and just floated around in the water basking in the bright sun

Back on the boat I was told I could go on top of it
So I climbed up and just Sun bath
The crew all took turns staring at me
I was the youngest on board and in a tiny bikini
One of them even said "aqui hay una reina"
The upside of being the damsel in distress is that people wait on you hand and foot
I lunched on a delicious cheese, tomato and cucumber sandwich and washed it down with yummy coke. Don't know why soda taste so good after swimming in the sea

Then we took off to go pick up the others who did the long hike
I just laid out on top with my eyes mostly closed
Languid

The second spot was deeper
And not as bright since the sun was just beginning to set
I made the right choice in taking the shorter walk
The second spot has nothing to see
Some coral far off to the bottom and a jelly fish or two

The current was very strong here
The more I tried to go in one direction the further back it took me
I was getting very tired very fast and getting nowhere
Felt like I was going in a circle
I could not get back the boat  
Finally someone came out with the round life preserver
I managed to swim the two meters to get it and then they pulled us in
Five more had to be pulled in, in the same manner

Back on the boat we started to head back
I sat looking back at the golden Sun setting and illuminating the island
It was so beautiful
The sky with the clouds looked multidimensional
Spotted more whales
Saw a pair with the water coming out of their blow holes spraying into the air

I kept sticking my hand in the warm water
Feeling it hit my hand
the same way I like to catch the breeze when I am in a car

I just let my mind go free
Sitting on the edge by the motors
I could feel their vibration under me
The heavy rocking of the waves
I was peaceful
My mind was quite and still
I just took in deep breaths
and thank God for letting me feel alive and serene

Puerto Lopez is beautiful in the sunset
The water is golden and the boats are illuminated beautifully
as the red sun sets into the ocean
Everything looked so magical

We got back in around 6:30 PM
And took an hour in a private car back to Montañita
Almost saw a complete rainbow
a cloud was covering the top arch
It was so bright and big
The perfect ending to a magical day

I can still feel the waves and the ocean inside of my body as I lay in bed