Hello peeps!! Thanks for the messages, glad all is good! Except for the speed awareness course, naughty father!! I trust you have a saved a programme for me to see when I get back, which as you all remind me is imminently approaching! I must admit I am starting to look forward to consistently hot and powerful showers, home cooked food- particularly roasted vegetables and salad, and not having to painfully attempt to navigate new cities on an almost daily basis. I have also forgotten what it is like to put toilet paper in the toilet- the little things you take for granted! I guess it'll be nice to see you guys too :p
Tuesday:
My last morning in Galápagos. I went for breakfast and then packed up, checked out and got a taxi across to the port. Then a little boat and a bus to the airport. The flight was relatively painless- stopped at Guayaquil again. In Quito by about 6pm and I went back to the hostel where I stayed before. It was fairly quiet tonight so I popped out and got a few bits for tea and was just chilling. I started getting my bits together for my embassy appointment in the morning and realised that I needed to have printed a couple of documents! It was 9.30 and the hostel had no printer so I was a little stressed. But I went out walking and luckily found an Internet cafe still open with a printer! So I got them printed, then slept.
Wednesday:
My appointment was at 9, so I got a taxi there and was greeted by a huge queue of Ecuadorians also getting visas. So I joined them. A woman come round checking people's documents and it turns out they don't accept our passport sized photos, but luckily there was a photo place nearby. Joined the queue again and at a little window they took all my documents. You then go through security to go in and have to sit outside waiting until you get called, then fingerprints! Then more waiting for your interview. Good job Ecuadorians don't mind queuing! I got taken to the front of the final queue and a nice american man didn't say much except it would be ready to collect tomorrow and he was sorry about my passport being stolen. Such a peculiar system- bloody Americans! $160 and all the added expenses of taxis, photos, etc, to land in their country! I got a taxi back and had a lazy day- I felt like id achieved a lot already just by sorting the visa crap and there wasn't much else for me to see in Quito. I found a nice vege place for lunch. Then in the evening the hostel got a bit more lively- a good crowd who were all up for going out. So we drank in the hostel- free drinks for girls- bonus! Then headed out to a couple of clubs. 9.30am we got back the next morning- i remember why I don't drink or go out at home anymore- I have no limits and once I start to party I don't want it to stop! But it was a fun, interesting night and probably my last night partying in South America.
Thursday:
Only managed an hours sleep before I had to check out! I got a taxi to the embassy and was told to come back at 1pm, even though the email I got confirming my visa was ready had said anytime between 7.30am-4pm. It was about 12, so I mooched around and got a bottle of water in a cafe- time goes so slow when your waiting! I went back at 1 and was told to come back at 2!!!!! Not impressed! I wandered a bit more and ended up in the gardens of the cancer hospital opposite- very sad watching people leaving in tears but made me feel less sorry for myself and I got talking to a street vender and her little daughter which passed the time. At 2, I was allowed through but was left in the waiting area for nearly an hour before their meeting finished and someone could come and hand me my passport back through the window! I hadn't taken a book or my phone or anything as you aren't allowed to take them through! But they put CNN on for me. I must admit I am quite proud of myself for sorting out all the hassle that come with losing my passport- it's been a huge inconvenience but I done it all by myself!
Another taxi back and I made some healthy food- yummy broccoli! Before going to the bus station. I got a bus at 7.30pm on the 9 hour journey to Guayaquil, where to my misfortune there were 3 screaming babies- one beside me and one behind me! But I was exhausted, so I slept for most of it.
Friday:
Arrived in Guayaquil about 4.30am! Got a taxi to a hostel which was full, found another one and managed to get a rather grotty, but cheap room to myself and I slept for a while. I took a walk and local bus to the bus terminal with the help of a local kid, where I bought the last ticket for the bus to Lima that afternoon at 2pm, although they only had 1st class left- I didn't want to wait two days for the next bus and it wasn't much more, plus it was worth it for a 30 hour bus journey! Taxied back and picked up my stuff, another taxi back to the bus terminal and began my lovely bus adventure. A couple of cool people on the bus, TV in each seat with good films in English and big leather, fully reclining chairs! The border crossing was painless and I slept well through the night, although I did develop a really sore throat that has turned into a cough. Food was rubbish and no vege options, luckily I had a few snacks.
Saturday:
Finally arrived back where it all began 4.5 months ago- lovely Lima, about 6.30pm. I booked a bus to Cusco for 4.30pm tomorrow and followed a Dutch girl to a hostel she had booked, they had no spaces but I found a nice one round the corner! I was starving so I headed out and got sushi- I was sat at a table with a sweet, young Peruvian couple who were funny and very friendly! Staying in miraflores- the more touristy area and somewhere I didn't visit last time so it's cool! I had a much needed shower and slept well.
So that's it for now! Looking forward to Cusco, it's meant to be nice- only another 20 hour bus journey to get there! Take care everyone, let me know what's happening!