This is going to be tricky. Either we write and write and write about the Galapagos, or we keep it brief and leave it to the photos. As a compromise we'll take it day by day - if nothing else this will remind us where we went. We met the rest of our boat party at the airport and headed out. An Aussie couple (John & Leigh), a New Zealander couple (Denny & Karen), and a Polish couple (Jarek & Ala). Youngest - 53, oldest 63, all great fun. The boat has ...

Despite some jobsworth at Santa Marta airport being determined not to allow us to board our flight due to a misunderstanding of immigration laws (on his part, worryingly), we said goodbye to Colombia and hello to Ecuador. Quito lies in a valley at an altitude of 2,850m - the surrounding mountains are far higher, so the views during the airport approach are outstanding. Unfortunately the altitude meant a strong case of dizzy head for the first day or so. Grr. Al...