Hi everybody, just a quick note for the worriers among you because I will be out of contact for the next 9 days - no Internet connection because I am flying tomorrow from Quito - really cold here at 10,000 feet altitude(wearing my down jacket as I write this!) , to Guayaquil (middle of Ecuador)then on to the Galapagos Islands - obviously sea level. Yesterday we flew from Manta - sea level to Quito.   Will post lots of pictures and a report on our wonderful week on the beach in Manta. We were so lucky to stay in a stunningly beautiful condo overlooking the Pacific - three balcony's hanging over the beach. We even had the gall to complain how loud the sound of the waves were every night......sorry.

Yippee, going to see a Penguin I hope.

Looked up the Galapagos Islands - have a look yourself - they are in the middle of nowhere - takes a few hours to fly there from Guayaquil and will meet up with our shipmates - not sure who or how many. The boat sleeps 16, will sail from island to island at night - some are 8 hours apart....either really far or the boat is really slow or a combo. Don't think there is a night club or cinema or casino or anything I am used to on my recent sails beause this ship is poquito, tiny, small.....it is called the Cruz del Sur - a little, albeit the most expensive, cruise boat I have been on, no smoking deals here even though we booked a last minute thing - sleeps 16, hoping for some empty bunks, if not, at least the rest of my shipmates to be a group of handsome, fun, eligible, well travel led,  bachelors. Yeah - that is going to happen! Better just stick with the wish of a Penguin sighting.

Hoping for smooth water and clear snorkelling and nice people to share the experience with. Hoping not to repeat the Halong Bay Vietnam cruise experience from a couple of February's ago when the crew mutineered within the first couple of hours and refused to make our meals, or watch their television. Thanks to some really cheap Vietnamese Whiskey brought on by some generous Brits, we had an amazing four daysI
Just in case, Carolyn and I are bringing our own Rum and Wine.  - stay tuned