Galaps!

This weekend we went to the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS!  This is a big deal -- there are a lot of people who live in Ecuador who have never been able to go, so we felt really blessed to have this opportunity.  We left Wednesday morning and returned Sunday afternoon.  While we were there our days were full of traveling and seeing beautiful things.  The islands are an interesting mix of beautiful beaches and dry desert-like landscapes.  We had  a lot of time to fellowship (traveling tends to provide that) -- and we ate some delicious food!  It was a blessed trip.  Here are some picture highlights. Pictures give good launching points for story-telling.

 

Landing in the airport in the Galapagos!  We took a bus to the Quito airport, a plane to the Galapagos, and then a combination of buses and boats to get to our actual hotel.  Took this picture for you, Mom :)

Taking a taxi across the bay to hike.  These things made me nervous!  But they provided a beautiful view of the ocean.

Our first physical contact with Pacific Ocean water from the Galapagos (except for those of us that put our hands in the water off the boat :).  After we got settled at our hotel on Wednesday afternoon we took a 45 minute hike to get here, and then swam in the lagoon.  The water was so clear!  A lot of us climbed up the walls and then jumped into the water.  I did...but I didn't choose very high rocks :)

Dessert in the port-town after a delicious dinner (Dinner: shrimp pasta, Dessert: strawberry milk-shake).  Shout-out to Dianna for all the planning she did to make this trip possible.

Thursday we spent the entire day at the beach.  This is the path on the way to Tortuga Bay, the beach we went to.  The path was about a 40 minute walk.  Abby, Lauren and I ran to the beach and back on Thursday afternoon.  It was such a good run -- the air has so much more oxygen at this elevation!!

The beach.  It was so big and open -- and there were hardly any other people there.  It is literally the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.  Thursday was a warm, sunny day.  We played lots of volleyball and Frisbee, walked the beach, ate lunch, went swimming, and laid out.  And...I wore lots of high SPF sunscreen and didn't even get sunburnt! 

Classic jumping picture.  Just look at that beach.  Is this real life?!?!

Hanging out with these hot women of God.
Abby, Me, Lauren, Melissa, Christy, Dianna, and Hannah

Making my claim on the beach.  I was actually here. I can't really believe it.

On Friday we took a 2-hour boat ride to another island.  I'll spare you the details, but the ride there was pretty awful.  Rough waters and lots of sea-sick people.  I took some Dramamine and actually felt ok (Praise the Lord) -- but I was super nervous for the first hour.  I swear that boat was going to tip over in the middle of the ocean.  Eventually Abby let me use her phone and a little country music calmed my nerves and got me sanely to the island :)  We walked on a little path to the bay where we went snorkeling.  The cute little guy was hanging out on the path!  Sea lions are everywhere on the islands.

We went snorkeling!  It was kind of cold and cloudy, and it wasn't quite as beautiful as we were expecting, but I'm still really glad we went.  When else am I going to go snorkeling in the Galapagos??

Giant Tortoises!  There is a Tortoise breeding center on this island.  We got to see Tortoises at all different stages of growth.  These things are weird!  But super cool.  And super big.  We also saw some flamingos on this island.  So pretty!

After lunch we spent an hour at this beach before heading back to our island.  I slept for half an hour and then wandered the beach by myself for the second half hour.  Those moments of quiet-solo time are quite the blessing when we're always in a group.

On the boat on the way home.  This boat ride was SO much better.  I passed our Dramamine to our ENTIRE group and pretty much everyone fell asleep.  I took a non-Drowsy Dramamine and stayed awake to watch the sky, waves, and setting sun.  I was way calmer this time and actually enjoyed the beauty and power of the ride and ocean.

On Saturday we had a free day.  Some people went scuba-diving, some explored the town, and some rented bikes.  Abby, Ally and I decided we wanted another beach day.  We had breakfast at our hotel, went to the little grocery store and bought chex mix, vanilla wafers, apples, and a jar of nutella for lunch, then walked to the beach.  It was cloudy in the morning, but cleared up throughout the afternoon.  I went for a run right where the water meets the beach -- my all time favorite place to run. After that we enjoyed the sand, sun and water.  It was a great, restful day.

These guys are everywhere.  For real.  I thought they were gross, but I photographed them like it was my job because I knew Micah and Gideon would LOVE them.

Abby, Hannah, and Me
On Saturday night we took a boat across the bay to a really pretty restaurant right on the water.  We had pizza, pasta, and chocolate cake.  It felt like a celebration and was a beautiful way to end the trip. 

So thankful for the chance to see this unique part of God's creation and spend a long weekend with our team.  Now we're back and have three more weeks of fairly intense academic work and will be wrapping up classes in Quito by Thanksgiving.  Then we'll head back to the jungle for another short term mission trip, and finally we'll head to the beach for our wrap-up and debrief.  Looking forward to seeing what else God has in store for this next month.  And thanking Him for the ways He's proven His faithfulness over and over again. 

"The Lord replied 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'" -Exodus 33:14