Puerto Ayora - Shopping for lunch and Shangri-La 2/28

View from the pool at Shangri-la
This is the view of the surroundings from the top floor of Shangri-La
Girls relaxing at the pool
The shoppers return with the food for lunch. Luis was the other shopper -He took this image

Fisherman was cleaning his catch in town and had quite the audience!

The Police Department was having a race in town that ended right where we were walking - and it was HOT!

Chio is having theur laundry weighed at LAVA FLASH one of the local laundromats in town. The charge was $1 per kilo, and we all dropped off about 2.5 kilos of dirty smelly clothes. In about 3 hours we picked up our laundered, folded and ironed (if requested) clothes for $2.50. To cintrast, the hotel we were staying at charged $1.50 per item regardless of what it was. Quite the bargain, and we were back in business on the clothes front.

At the public market

Thes local ladies were sitting in front of a nice mural at the edge of the market.

Traveling knife sharpener with assistant on his back

Connie at the market

Connie, Luis and Chio buying camerones (shrimp) at the market

We were told late last night that due to a booking duplication we would all have to leave the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn this evening. Teppy has arranged for us to use a private home just up the hill from the hotel for the day and night. It’s called Shangri-la and is owned by some (obviously) wealthy San Diegans. This place is a mansion – 4 bedrooms, 4 baths with a detached casita – guest house. A huge pool with a bar and a barbeque area – a real party house. There is not room enough for all 12 so 3 couples will stay at another hotel in town. The hotel brought everyone's bags up to the house and we can return in the morning for our last breakfast on Santa Cruz. We just have to pack a small bag to take to the Lobo del MAr Hotel in town for the night.

Since we have a complete kitchen at the mansion Luis, Chio, Connie and Harvey volunteered to go into town and buy food for lunch for today and tomorrow. We collected $20 per couple and headed off. Luis suggested we go to a local farmers market where we purchased shrimp, onions, peppers, garlic rice and beans for a lunch. This was pretty cool – lots of colorful people in an open air setting. We got all the stuff back to the house and started cooking. Everyone enjoyed the meal – it was pretty good if I do say so myself. We also bought rolls and lunch meat and cheese to make sandwiches for tomorrow’s boat transfer to San Cristobal tomorrow. Some of the group went to a beach this afternoon while some stayed back to enjoy the mansion. I was among the stay behind as I severely sunburned my right leg yesterday. Bummer! I just must have forgotten to apply the lotion. It’s really red and swollen and I think it better to stay out of the sun. I had to walk around this morning in pants – tough to be in the Galapagos and keep out of the sun. And that’s with another 10 days or so to go. This may be the last update for a while. I don’t know about the next hotel and the 2 nights after that are camping on a beach. Pretty sure no internet there! Will send more as soon as I can. Adios!