Tuesday 25 August 2009

Ecuador and Galapagos

I've just returned from an utterly fascinating trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos with Tom.    I was expecting a Noah's Ark of animals on the islands, but it's more prehistoric than anything else.  Every living thing looks as though it should be outsized in a Ray Harryhausen film.  The giant tortoises all had the expression of one who has seen too much of live, and at over 120 years old some of them probably have.   On the awesome mainland we climbed up and down and around volcanoes which our passionate and experienced guide Diego (one of the best in the world) advised us were still live and could erupt any moment.  None of them did.  I'm in two minds about recommending going to the islands.   They should be left untouched and abandoned.   They would do much better without us to watch or interfere.