We arrive in Guayaquil

 We arrived in Guayaquil late Sunday night, bleary from more than twelve hours in transit, but safe and sound, and ready to begin our adventure in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

 
Breakfast is ready at 7 am Monday, and we head out for the final leg of our trek to Santa Cruz at 8:45. Balancing a leisurely, early breakfast with the prospect of an extra hour of sleep was for some no contest - breakfast was a distant second. But for others, who at 1 am were congregating on our open rooftop patio, the adventure is on - they vow to get up in time to watch their first equatorial sunrise.

Here on the equator it's always the equinox, at least in effect - day and night each last twelve hours. I've read there is precious little dawn or dusk , that in minutes it goes from night to day. We'll find out in a few hours. Or not, if we're sleeping in.

We flew over Cuba on the way south. We caught a few glimpses of undeveloped forest through the thick clouds that arose just as we approached and stayed with us till we left Cuban airspace. (Really!) Coincidence? Cuban paranoia clouds? American embargo clouds?

We hugged the west coast of South America south to Guayaquil. The skies were mostly clear and there were strings of well lit cities along the Pacific coast. Lots of people! Our hotel, and perhaps Ecuador's largest city itself, is a study in contrast - we have wireless internet access, but we've been cautioned not to flush our TP as it clogs the septic system. (It goes in the trash. Hmmm...) We're not in Kansas any more, Toto, but what a great adventure. We're really excited to be here!