Ecuador & Galapagos

Carl and Karin — summer 1988

We flew to Bogotá, spent a few days there, then flew on in a small plane to Quito, Ecuador. After about a week we took a bus to the edge of the jungle near Ambato.

In Ambato we assembled a group eager to climb the beautiful Tungurahua volcano — roughly 4,500 m high.

Then we headed into the jungle along the Rio Pastaza.

Bus back to Quito, where we managed to board a military C 130 Hercules to the Galapagos Islands.

Karin had arranged to stay with a local family for another 5 weeks, so she remained in Ecuador.

Carl with an ocelot in the jungle — I found this sweet ocelot in the jungle and couldn't resist petting it. It bit into my shirt and wouldn't let go — I had to take the shirt off. It only released after the owner arrived and we hung the shirt over a branch. I got it back full of bite holes.

Market in Ecuador — guinea pig on the grill — Dinner is bought at the market — guinea pig tastes excellent grilled.

Local food in Ecuador — Alternative dinner from the local restaurant: chicken, vegetables and a hot chili.

C-130 Hercules to Galapagos — On the way to Galapagos in a C 130 — incredibly noisy but cheap. We chewed toilet paper and stuffed it in our ears — worked perfectly. Karin is the one in white trousers on the left row.

Carl among sea lions on Galapagos — Carl sitting among curious sea lions (females). They were very playful and loved a swim if you dived in with them.

Land iguana from Galapagos — The wildlife is impressive — giant metre-long iguanas, blue-footed boobies and many other animals. None of them are afraid of people.

Giant tortoises on Galapagos — And of course the giant tortoises — Karin says hello to one while I try sitting on another.

Giant tortoise heading to "garage" — In the evening before dark they find a quiet spot with plenty of vegetation, pull in their legs and head, and go to sleep.

Karin with a giant tortoise on Galapagos

Back on the mainland and up the Tungurahua volcano. At 4,500 metres it was a serious climb. I carried all the luggage except Karin’s small daypack. Around 4,000 metres we were stopping for breath every 10–20 steps. Next morning fresh snow had fallen and it was very foggy, so we never reached the summit. The views were extraordinary — stretching far across the Amazon rainforest and to other volcanoes 70–100 km away.

Karin on Tungurahua — high above the clouds.

On into the jungle. We canoed for a few hours in a long dugout canoe, then hiked on foot through the jungle.

Evening with gold-digging Indians by the Rio Pastaza — Evening relaxing with indigenous people who earned their living panning gold in the river. Wilhelm (an accountant from Austria) was not exactly dressed for jungle trekking.

Karin using a liana in the jungle — Karin uses a liana to cross a small stream. Our friend Wilhelm only made it halfway — as his trousers showed.

Family weaving small rugs — A family that earns money weaving small rugs sold to tourists. Everything is made by hand.

Karin at the base of a giant tree in Ecuador — Karin at the base of a giant tree whose trunk splits and stretches over 30 metres. In general, everyone in Ecuador was very friendly and helpful.