2nd November - Galápagos Day 4

What a rubbish night's sleep. My mobile and so clock is out of battery as it has been trying to connect via 3G in my rucksack so our cabin was without time throughout. I gout up and checked the clock in the lounge at 2, 3.15, 4.05 and finally 4.55. Showered and went up on deck. Saw Priscila sitting on a sun lounger so I took the opportunity to speak a last offering of Spanish and find out a bit more about our guide and watch the sun rise. I even remembered the verb "amanacer" (to rise, as in sun).

It is really hot this morning as we are now back in the north. Our dinghy ride was great. We powered our way to the cove and the killed the motor and used the paddle to float around the mangroves. We saw tens of white-tipped shark, turtles and 2 different types of ray and the full complement of birds. The only noise to break the solitude was Eliot and wife having an argument about who saw the first ray. Zzzzz.

Our last breakfast was a bit rushed and then we headed back to Baltra for the airport. We waited 3 hours there which was a bit annoying as we could have gone to another island. I didn't succumb to the $5 per hour internet charge like most of our party. Said goodbye to Priscila and Ema (English girl from our boat who was staying on for another few days). The flight was instantly forgettable despite the groans of agony from Eliot and his tooth.

We eventually got back to my favourite place, Quito, on a direct flight. When we got back to La Mariscal it was dead, I forgot it is bank holiday this weekend.

Had dinner in the hotel - my new favourite place in Quito. Had a steak and veg and chocolate ice cream and beer. Still only came to 9 quid in total.

Tomorrow I have some chores to do and desperately need to copy my photos to disk and also my boots for Machu Picchu aren't in great shape. I have a few holes forming so I will need to look up the Spanish for "Waterproof, flexible adhesive".

Tomorrow evening I leave for Lima. 5 Weeks in Ecuador has finally come to an end. It has been average for the first 4 weeks and amazing for the last week. This time in 2 days I will be in the jungle. I have already taken my first Malarone (anti-malarial) tablet and I seem to still be alive. In 5 days time I will be walking the trail to Machu Picchu. Again I won't be updating the blog until I get to Cusco in about 10 days from now.