Well, we are back in Quito after our INCREDIBLE tour of the Galapagos Islands. It was an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. I've got to say, however, that it's nice to be back on solid ground and in a room that is bigger than our washroom at home. I still find myself swaying though! The experience was fantastic and the boat was nice enough but, after 8 days rocking and rolling and sleeping in bunk beds, I'm glad to be in a hotel room again. We have 2 days here before we leave for Panama City.

It's hard to pick one thing that stands out about our Galápagos experience. But, if I have to pick one thing, it would be the snorkelling experience in Punta Espinoza, when we swam with at least 30 sea turtles and saw marine iguanas eating & swimming underwater. A close second would be when the sea lion spewed on me on our first day in the Galápagos in Puerta Ayora. It seems like a weird highlight but the fact that I was so close to a sea lion that could actually hit me with his vomit and who was not frightened at all was unbelievable to me. All the animals during the trip were just so unafraid of us it was a surreal and unique experience. They are protected and human's are not predators so they are not the afraid of us.

We had a good nights sleep and a relaxed morning (first one in 10 days). At breakfast we saw many of our tour friends and said our goodbyes once again over hugs. Then it was off to the Mercado Artesanal de Mariscal to check out the local wares. We purchased a few things and then we decided to walk back to the Old Town to visit the Basilica again and climb the tower and see inside the church proper. What a beautiful building! It wa blessed by Pope John Paul II on January 30, 1985 and was officially opened on July 12, 1988. The nave is 140 meters long, 35 wide and 30 meters high where there are 14 bronze images representing 11 apostles and 3 evangelists. One of the most unique features are the stone representations of turtles, armadillos, reptiles,and amphibians of Ecuador on the outside of the building. Classic churches have gargoyles. 

After this we we went to the Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independence) to take in the sights again. This is where the square is surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Archbishops Palace, the Cathedral, and City Hall. Even the second time around it's impressive. We actually met our friends from Winnipeg in the Archbishops Palace - what a coincidence! At this point typical Quito weather showed up and it started to rain. Vic persuaded the guards at the Presidential Palace to let us walk under the portico to get out of the rain.   We continued down the street and decided to grab a bite and hope the rain would stop or at least lighten up. We had a full 3 course meal for $4.50 each. We started with a big bowl of soup, then chicken with pasta and salad and juice. Now we know why so many people retire here. 

The rain did not abate so we grabbed a cab and got back to the hotel around 5:30. The ladies from Winnipeg had some time before their flight so they called to see if we wanted to meet for a drink. We met in the hotel bar and shortly after Liz & Ian from England joined us. We reminisced and had a few laughs. We had a great group on our Galápagos tour. Come to think it, we've been lucky in that we've had a great group of people for all our tours. it makes such a difference.