Our 3 week visit to the Galapagos began with a one week voyage aboard the Guantanamera. We had an absolute blast island hopping and snorkeling with Manta Rays, White tipped reef sharks, and an abundance of magnificently colored fish. It was the fastest week of my life.
For the final two weeks, we set up shop with a host family in San Cristobal. It was a very relaxed lifestyle with "island time" and a 2+ hour siesta where nothing in the town was open or could be depended on. My "biological mother" (still to be determined whether I am adopted) and her dear friend Nancy Pillat visited for 3 nights after their boat cruise. We traveled to some cool attractions and beaches in an air conditioned taxi, dined luxuriously by evening, splurged on ice cream and Pilsners in the evening, and basked in the air conditioned hostels by night. It was great to see them, and they helped me out with some bare necessities: the USA speedo, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and some Hemingway books.
We studied at GAIAS University, a branch of San Francisco de Quito where we spent our first month. The university looked more like a resort, and was right across the street from a white sand beach filled with super hot chicks. We took an underwater field identification exam with snorkel gear & underwater slates and I wore my lucky Monsterpolo USA speedo. It worked. I am pretty sure I lowered the curve by blinding everyone with my halogen light thighs. I am also pretty sure it may have hurt my participation points.
I found a free day for diving and had an amazing underwater adventure at Kicker Rock, one of the most iconic and beautiful volcanic islands about 45 mins from the coast. Three friends and I arrived at the dock to meet Matan. With an exorbitant amount of energy, passionate Jewish pride, and a thick Israeli accent, he is easily one of the funniest characters I have ever met in my life. We had an absolute blast diving with the Jewish Borat. The visibility of the pure blue water was 20 meters, which is incredible. I am better than you because I use the metric system. Anyway, it was a hell of a first dive since my certification was during a crisp October morning in Lake Mendota when I could hardly see my shivering hand in front of my face or hear anything over my teeth chatter. We swam with a bunch of white tipped and black tipped reef sharks, eagle rays, and manta rays. However, we didn't encounter the famous hammerheads typical of the "shark highway" that flows through Kicker Rock.
The next night as I was wandering the boardwalk of San Cristobal catering to my ice cream addiction, I encountered Matan, whom was very offended that I wasn't planning on diving the next morning. He told me that he was broke, borrowing money for his next 3 months in South America, and that diving the next day would cost him 500 shekels. At this point I lost it, because
1: he said shekels
2: I realized I was being cheaper than a broke Jew with a terrible exchange rate.
In retrospect, I would have paid just to hang out with Matan on the boat for a few hours. His catch phrase as an Israeli Commando was "Shabat Shalom MothaFuckah!" and he often had Argentinian Motzah bread lodged in his Passover beard.
Back to diving. I had an amazing encounter with an 8 foot hammerhead shark! He made about 3 passes within ten feet! It was AWEsome and one of the most calming experiences. I am very glad I went.
Other notable moments:
- Sadly, I cut the mullet off due to its wonderful insulating properties that unfortunately did not complement the island heat. RIP
- I smoked my first cuban cigar with some buddies along the waterfront and in the back of a pickup on the way to the airport.
I had a great run in the Galapagos!
Check out the pics.
For the final two weeks, we set up shop with a host family in San Cristobal. It was a very relaxed lifestyle with "island time" and a 2+ hour siesta where nothing in the town was open or could be depended on. My "biological mother" (still to be determined whether I am adopted) and her dear friend Nancy Pillat visited for 3 nights after their boat cruise. We traveled to some cool attractions and beaches in an air conditioned taxi, dined luxuriously by evening, splurged on ice cream and Pilsners in the evening, and basked in the air conditioned hostels by night. It was great to see them, and they helped me out with some bare necessities: the USA speedo, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and some Hemingway books.
We studied at GAIAS University, a branch of San Francisco de Quito where we spent our first month. The university looked more like a resort, and was right across the street from a white sand beach filled with super hot chicks. We took an underwater field identification exam with snorkel gear & underwater slates and I wore my lucky Monsterpolo USA speedo. It worked. I am pretty sure I lowered the curve by blinding everyone with my halogen light thighs. I am also pretty sure it may have hurt my participation points.
I found a free day for diving and had an amazing underwater adventure at Kicker Rock, one of the most iconic and beautiful volcanic islands about 45 mins from the coast. Three friends and I arrived at the dock to meet Matan. With an exorbitant amount of energy, passionate Jewish pride, and a thick Israeli accent, he is easily one of the funniest characters I have ever met in my life. We had an absolute blast diving with the Jewish Borat. The visibility of the pure blue water was 20 meters, which is incredible. I am better than you because I use the metric system. Anyway, it was a hell of a first dive since my certification was during a crisp October morning in Lake Mendota when I could hardly see my shivering hand in front of my face or hear anything over my teeth chatter. We swam with a bunch of white tipped and black tipped reef sharks, eagle rays, and manta rays. However, we didn't encounter the famous hammerheads typical of the "shark highway" that flows through Kicker Rock.
The next night as I was wandering the boardwalk of San Cristobal catering to my ice cream addiction, I encountered Matan, whom was very offended that I wasn't planning on diving the next morning. He told me that he was broke, borrowing money for his next 3 months in South America, and that diving the next day would cost him 500 shekels. At this point I lost it, because
1: he said shekels
2: I realized I was being cheaper than a broke Jew with a terrible exchange rate.
In retrospect, I would have paid just to hang out with Matan on the boat for a few hours. His catch phrase as an Israeli Commando was "Shabat Shalom MothaFuckah!" and he often had Argentinian Motzah bread lodged in his Passover beard.
Back to diving. I had an amazing encounter with an 8 foot hammerhead shark! He made about 3 passes within ten feet! It was AWEsome and one of the most calming experiences. I am very glad I went.
Other notable moments:
- Sadly, I cut the mullet off due to its wonderful insulating properties that unfortunately did not complement the island heat. RIP
- I smoked my first cuban cigar with some buddies along the waterfront and in the back of a pickup on the way to the airport.
I had a great run in the Galapagos!
Check out the pics.
