The last home of not so lonesome George!!!

Today was all about getting the boats to get back to the right island to catch a flight that I still have no information on! But fortunately I got to go to Santa Cruz on my way which is where the Charles Darwin research centre is and the last home of lonesome George

It is, I believe, the largest town in Galapagos, at least it felt like it. Also the most touristy and sadly the double entendre that men try to achieve by wearing an ‘I love boobies t-shirt’ is lost when the t-shirt is stretch over their own moobs!

 So a 5am start and some kind of random mish-mash of people and order at the dock but somehow my name was on a list and they found me and I was deposited on the fly bridge of the boat for a 2 hour blast to Santa Cruz! Once there I set about trying to find a bank as I only had $25 the majority of which I was going to have to use to sleep somewhere on the next island!!! Laden with all my bags after about 20 minutes of walking in the heat I decided I would happily sleep outside what I really needed was food!

I found a lovely little deli that did me breakfast for $5, scrambled eggs and ham, some amazing warm bread, mango juice and a hot chocolate. Bargain. Probably one of the first mornings I actually relaxed and did nothing. If I had been more organised I reckon I could of gone snorkelling in the morning before my second boat but there we go!!!

Following breakfast I ventured to Lonesome George’s last home. He sadly died last June (there is now a shopping chain in his memory here in Galapagos!) on Santa Cruz, but he was by no means alone! For the 40 years or so of his life he was rehomed from Isle Pinta to Santa Cruz he lived with two other ladies. So I suspect he was a rather happy lonesome George.

Here at the Darwin centre they are breeding all the different types of island tortoises (except lonesome George ones). They estimate that at one point there were probably 50,000 or more land tortoises. Anyway as I strolled round I got to watch these funny creatures of all different sizes including some 2 month old ones that were being polished and numbered !

The second boat ride was rammed people sat on the floor and I was sat facing backwards getting my hair nicely back combed for 2 hours. You can imagine the bouffant that produced – still trying to get the knots out now! Once in Santa Cruz I found somewhere to stay right on the front that basically meant in sounded like the sea lions were in my room or at least at the door (I did get up to check at one point!)

The next morning I got up still oblivious of my flight time and headed to the airport, handed over my passport and was given a boarding card and told come back at midday. Simples!! The plane left on time and I landed at Quito’s new airport…cue the fly bridge having problems and even though it said my bag would come out on belt number two it actually appeared on some other belt in the airport that I happened to spot!

I then got in a cab and went to the Hilton hoping that it would be part of my package stood there with a sore hip now as well I decided when it wasn’t that I didn’t care and would treat myself. After enjoying the complimentary cocktail I headed out in search of a place called Uncle Ho’s that does Asian food. Nice little place run by a Scotsman and an Irishman!!! Great food and great chat

But a couple of interesting stories occurred. Firstly a dumb guy came in (or at least that is what he claimed), handed over a piece of paper to the barman asking for money to help him do his studies to learn to talk The barman politely said no what ensued was some finger gesturing and me getting spat on or something thrown at my face- caught in the cross fire. I did get a free drink but still feel really quite I don’t know.

Top this off with the lady there showing me a bite mark on her arm from a mugging about a month ago just around the corner  and I decided a cab back to the Hilton was required and felt much happier and safer at having chosen there rather than a hostel just around the corner. I now in big cities you always get this kind of thing and it is just about knowing where not to go.

Anyway I am now in the comfort of hotel room having spent a good hour eating as much breakfast as possible and I am now going to go and enjoy the sauna facilities before I fly to Rio

Congratulations people you are officially up to date with my travels!!! 
Darn it you were when I wrote this but not now you all get to see it!