Galápagos Day 10: Quito to Dulles

Our departure from Quito is at 6 a.m. so we leave the hotel at 2:30 a.m. for the one hour bus ride to Quito’s new airport.

After the 5 hour flight, we arrive early in Houston, but need the extra time to get through immigration and customs.  Fortunately our layover is long enough to spend a little more time with the group before my flight departs for Dulles. My thanks to excellent friends and travel companions – Brad, Mickey, Donna, Dennis, Sue, Ron, Marguerite, Carol, Bernie, Jessica, Grace, Gena, Bob, Kim, Erik, and Jake – for a great trip!  And to our guides – Jose, Lorenzo, and Pablo for an outstanding educational adventure!!

Time for a look back on a memorable week in Quito and the Galápagos Islands.

Quito, Ecuador …

Quito, the capitol of Ecuador, seen from El Panecillo
Quito, Ecuador • 0°13’46.10″ S 78°31’5.16″ W
Nikon D600 • Nikkor 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6 at 70 mm • ISO 100 • 1/500 sec at f/5.0

A marine iguana at La Loberia Beach …

Marine Iguanga at La Loberia Beach on San Cristóbal Island
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador • 0°55’29.23″ S 89°36’50.63″ W
Nikon D600 • Nikkor 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6 at 300 mm • ISO 100 • 1/320 sec at f/5.6

Sunset over Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island …

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno from the Grand Hotel Paraiso Hotel rooftop terrace
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador • 0°54’17.10″ S 89°36’44.96″ W
Nikon D600 • Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 • ISO 1250 • 1/250 sec at f/1.4

Kicker Rock …

Kicker Rock off San Cristóbal Island
Ecuador • 0°46’45.37″ S 89°31’23.02″ W
Nikon D600 • Nikkor 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6 at 32 mm • ISO 100 • 1/800 sec at f/3.5

The caldera at Sierra Negra Volcano …

Overlooking the caldera of the Sierra Negra volcano
Ecuador • 0°48’42.33″ S 91°5’16.98″ W
Nikon D600 • Nikkor 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6 at 135 mm • ISO 110 • 1/250 sec at f/5.6

One of the twin craters at Los Gemelos on Santa Cruz Island …

Los Gemelos on Santa Cruz Island
Ecuador • 0°37’29.80″ S 90°23’3.67″ W
Nikon D600 • Nikkor 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6 at 100 mm • ISO 160 • 1/250 sec at f/5.3

Now it’s time to start sorting through the photos and begin post-production.  Then on to work on the video and book.  Hopefully, I finish things up before the next adventure – South Africa in 2015!

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