Getting to the Galapagos Islands and Santa Cruz

Due to the remoteness, the Galápagos islands are not an easy place to get to. The best way to get there is by taking a plane from the Gyuaquil or Quito airports on the mainland. I flew AeroGal into the Isle of Baltra (about an hour and a half from Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz), but there are daily flights to San Cristobal as well. For being so isolated, the Baltra airport was really nice. There is an $100 entrance fee when arriving in the islands. Make sure to have cash available, as they do not accept anything else. Here is a map of the Galápagos Islands from Wikipedia to help make understanding the archipelago a little simpler.

 

From Baltra, I took a bus, a boat, and another bus to get to Puerto Ayora. Boats are the best way to get around the islands. I didn't spend a long time on Santa Cruz, but i did stay just long enough to photograph some of the unique animals that call the island their home. 

The first thing I noticed about the Santa Cruz port, was the abundance of marine iguanas. Hundred sit out in the sun, layered on top of each other creating a really cool sight. 

Red Rock Crabs also sit on the rocks around the port. They are quick, so getting a good photo was not easy! Remember that even though the animals may look friendly, it is dangerous to touch them and could result in an injury. It is illegal to touch the animals, and the Galapagos National Park Service recommends staying at least 6 feet away at all times.

   Sea lions casually stroll along the port and fall asleep on boats, benches, and walkways. They will pose for pictures and make cute noises to get the tourists attention. It is rare for sea lions to be so friendly. Remember not to touch, but you can get close enough to snap a few awesome photos!

  Photo courtesy of my friend Jamie Killian 

    

Mitad del Mundo and the Intiñan Solar Museum

Mitad del Mundo
Welcome to Ecuador!

Located in Pichincha, Ecuador just outside of Quito, the Mitad del Mundo monument is one of the most visited places in all of Ecuador. The whole complex contains a museum, a viewpoint, statues, stores, and many restaurants. The best part is, that the equator line runs right through the monument. It's fun to place one foot in the Northern hemisphere and in the Southern hemisphere. The line at the monument is the old Equator calculation. The newer and supposedly more accurate line is at the Intiñan Solar Museum a few miles away.





Walking up to the monument, I passed by many colorful statues of painted hummingbirds. Each one had a different theme regarding different parts of Ecuador. After passing two or three, I realized that they were actually benches!



Each level of the monument is a part of The Mitad del Mundo museum. Collectively, all of the floors together form a timeline of Ecuadorian history, complete with interactive games and exhibits. Once at the top, there are views of the whole Mitad del Mundo area and even the mountains behind it.

The restaurants, cultural shows, and shops are located in the Central Plaza. When I was there, there were many women and men in colorful costumes dancing to upbeat music. Dancing, singing, and other forms of entertainment usually occur at Mitad del Mundo on weekends. I recommend going on a Saturday if the option is available.

In the Central Plaza, there are many stores that are great for souvenir shopping. I recommend looking for products unique to Ecuador, such as alpaca wool sweaters, tagua nuts, Pacari chocolate (a personal favorite) and organic coffee.

Also, be sure to try out some Ecuadorian soda. There are a lot of interesting flavors that we don't have in the United States. There are snack stands all around the monument selling drinks, chips, and candy.

Intiñan Solar Museum



Another Equator-themed spot to visit in Quito is the Intiñan Solar Museum. This is where tourists can visit the newer Lat 0.0.0 calculation. The actual museum is outside, and the guides take you around to see some exhibits on the amazon, depictions of Ecuadorian daily life, inside an extremely old house (with lots of guinea pigs), and of course the Equator line!

                     





The main focus of the Intiñan Solar Museum is the Equator line. The tour guides offer different demonstrations to show how the physical forces affect different experiments on either side of the line. Some are questionable, but it is always fun to test them for yourself! The tour takes about 30-40 minutes long but there is a small market and a snack stand, so in total the site can probably be seen in around an hour.

Happy Travels!
❤ Gwyn

Prague!

Charles Bridge

One of the best parts of a trip to Prague is walking across historical Charles Bridge that goes over the  Vltava river. It is usually at the top of every tourists must-see in Prague list. This stone Gothic bridge is extremely old, as it was finished during the 15th century. There is a legend that eggs were added to the mortar that was used to build the bridge, and that's why it is so strong!





There are many souvenir shops, art stores, and music performances along the bridge, making it a very busy place. At each end of the bridge stands a large tower, both of which can be climbed for an aerial view of both sides of the Vltava River.

St. Vitus's Cathedral



This metropolitan Gothic cathedral serves as both a working church and a symbol for the city. The detailed architecture of this amazing church awes tourists from around the world, making it one of Europe's most-visited churches. A part of Prague Castle, the outside is dark and mysterious, complete with creepy gargoyles. Inside, the nave is filled with color, from the stunning stained glass to the golden chandler that hangs above the transept.







To get amazing views of the area, I recommend taking the 297 steps to the top of the cathedral's great south tower. The entrance for the climb is in the Third Courtyard however, the admission is not included in castle tour ticket. Along with the stunning views of the city, you will get an up close view of the clockworks dating from the 1500's. The largest bell in the Czech Republic, built by Tomáš Jaroš, is just one of the unique aspects of this beautiful church.

Prague Old Town 

The busiest part of Prague, the Old Town is also the most beautiful. This historic square, a sight itself, has many features including the famous Prague Astronomical Clock, the Tyn Cathedral, the Old Town hall, and of course, lots of amazing food!

  

Photo courtesy of http://travelioo.com/images/czech-republic/prague-astronomical-clock

      

One of my favorite foods that I tried in Prague were the Trdelníks, which are sweet, crunchy, tube-shaped pastries that are covered in cinnamon. I got these particular ones in the Old Town, but they are sold by dessert vendors across the city. 

Be sure to czech out Prague Castle which is not only an amazing historical and architectural masterpiece, but also the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. For more information about tourism in the castle visit the Prague Castle official website :) Views from the castle are amazing, so it's a must see when visiting Prague! 

Happy travels! 
❤ Gwyn 

 

Český Krumlov

In the south of the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic, Český Krumlov is a small city with a rich history and a beautiful castle. A UNESCO World Heritage sight,  Český Krumlov draws tourists in from all around the world, and is the literal depiction of a storybook village. 

The castle area itself is surrounded by a bear filled moat - yes, bears - and demonstrates a beautiful mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Castle tours are available in a variety of languages all year round. The tours provide visitors with an in-depth view of the castle's historical and cultural aspects.

   

From the castle, which is situated on a large hill, there are spectacular views of the old town and river. This is a great spot for pictures. 
 

  

Around the castle, there is so much to do! Be sure to "czech" out the many ice-cream shops in the area. My favorite was Smurf (Smoula) flavor - only in the CZ! :) My friends and I also went to this super tacky hall of mirrors/wax museum. It was overpriced and extremely cheesy, but we all had fun. 

When walking around the old town, you will find that Český Krumlov has an enchanted and peaceful atmosphere. The cobblestone streets, the historical buildings, the red roof houses - everything comes together perfectly to form this culture hotspot.

  

Happy travels!
❤ Gwyn

Tiské Stěny Rocks

Tiské Stěny is a large group of rocks near the Czech-German border, located in Bohemian Switzerland. A trip to Tiské Stěny offers amazing views of the area and many options for challenging hikes among the rocks and boulders. 

Now, for a short geology lesson (bear with me)...

The rocks compromise of mostly sandstone and belong to the Bohemian Cretaceous System. If you look closely, there are occasionally stripes in the rock, caused by concentrated minerals. Natural weathering has resulted in cavernous areas, tunnels, and  has caused the boulders to be bizarre shapes and sizes. 

It was a bit rainy the day that I went, however, still incredibly beautiful. Climbing in the rock formations was the most fun part, and the views from the top were incredible! 

 

Happy travels!

 ❤ Gwyn

Děčín

Close to the German border, Děčín is a city in the Elbe valley (halfway between Dresden and Prague) that provides travelers with whimsical flower gardens, a beautiful castle, and amazing views of the river from high rocky plateaus that surround the area.

    

Děčín castle, the city's landmark, stands on a hill near the city center. Once the home of Bohemian royalty, the castle is now Děčín's main tourist attraction and is a must-see in the region!
Adjacent to the castle are the rose gardens and fountains where you can see the flowers in full bloom with views of the nearby city.

    Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Decin_CZ_Rose_Garden_02.jpg (Maggie Hammond)

  

The Děčín Zoo, founded in 1949, is one of the country's smallest zoos. However, this is a great way to spend an afternoon in Děčín, and you might have the animals to yourself! Located in a forest on a high plateau above the Elbe river, the zoo has a good variety of animals including goats, birds, rabbits and even some bears.

 

   Photo courtesy of http://www.wzd.cz/zoo/EU/CZ/cz_decin-zoo.htm

One food that I tried and really enjoyed in Děčín were the traditional Rakvicky (Czech coffin cookies) that are available in cafes all across the city. Though the name sounds depressing, these crunchy cookies are actually delicious! I got mine smothered in whipped cream :) 
 

   Happy travels!
   ❤ Gwyn