CURRENT MISSION

the discovery of aliens confirmed before my death

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Question frequently asked of the Galapagos Islands.
Can one travel to Galapagos without a cruise reserved, without hotel reservations and without a strict itinerary to follow.

Answer is YSS !!!!

Of course ,you can travel to Galapagos on your own. They said the same thing , that it was impossible - one must have pre-arrangede trip etc, in 1987 when I first went by myself. There was no land based tourism back then - all cruises and very expensive. Now Galapagos is ideal for the South American traveler, even those on a budget.

The expensive part is arriving in Galapagos from either Quito or Guayaquil. Two early morning flights daily on either airline;

TAME AND AEROGAL AIRLINES RUN APPROX. $400 ROUND TRIP FOR TOURISTS AND HALF FOR ECUADORIANS.

Both airlines let you change your return date, for FREE, when you decide to stay longer in Galapagos. Also, you can fly into one island say Baltra-Santa Cruz and leave from San Cristobal, if you wish.

Children 12 and under pay 50% of airfare
NOTE; Icaro is a newer airline that flies only twice a week but I heard was less expensive.

Galapagos National Park charges all South American passport holders $50 at the airport, in cash only, upon arrival. This is your National ¨Park Entrance fee for all islands and all visitor sites. North American and European passport holders pay $100 Ash.
Children 12 and under pay half. Ecuadorians pay only $10.

There are 4 inhabited islands. Santa Cruz pop 10,000+
San Cristobal pop. 5,000+, pop. Isabela pop. 2,000+, Floreana 80+ YOU WILL FIND HOSTELS AT $10, $15 AND $20PER PERSON PER NIGHT ON ALL 4 ISLANDS - PLUS CAMPING. BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER FOR SET MENUS ARE ONLY $3 EACH.. Day TRIPS ARE SOMETIMES FREE OR ANYWHERE FROM $10 TO $35 TO $60 OR EVEN $100 FOR LONGER DAY LONG BOAT RIDE ADVENTURES. you MAY CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN MANY OR FEW OF THESE DAY TRIPS WHICH ARE ALL EASILY BOOKED A DAY IN ADVANCE ON EACH OF THE INHABITED ISLANDS.

I live on Isabela, the best inhabited island, we have a 3 km. long beach that starts in town and which is full of bird life, free snorkeling spots, mangrove trees, fresh water ponds, sand dunes, red crabs on beach, seas turtles laying eggs at night, marine iguanas, and star lit walks down the beach at low tide plus FULL MOON CEREMONIES, and.beautiful sunsets daily.

We do Happy Hour on the beach at my home,Casa Rosada daily from 5-7pm at sunset - we also play volleyball and have live music. The drinks are inexpensive, the atmosphere casual and the Argentine meat or veggie EMPANADAS the tastiest you ever had.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30463&id=654295193&l=ef50624204

Day trips on Isabela include; Snorkeling with sea turtles, penguins, sea lions, rays, fish, starfish and sharks if you so desire. Horseback riding to volcano Orr hiking the volcano Sierra Negra, cave exploring in lush green highlands, picking your own fruit at a tropical paradise, hiking or mountain biking to WALL of TEARS (google the history of Isabela. ,Fishing, and hunting wild pig trips can be specially arranged.. Scuba diving is an optional excursion.

From Puerto Ayora, the town on Santa Cruz, go to the dock and take a ferry at 2pm sharp and daily to isabela. I use Tranmartisa company, its office is located right at the dock next to restaurant, buy your tickets that same morning or at 1pm.. The cost is $30 per person (all same price) and $15 for kids.
Trip takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours and can be bumpy. near the back, less bumpy, and on the left side going to Isabela for the better view of 4 Hermanos and Isabela coastline.

Anyone and everyone is welcomed to pitch a tent on my beach property. A couch is usually available for the firts night, or two, and rooms are inexpensive at Casa Rosada. Plan on at least 5 days on Isabela, if you can. Cut something else short....

Here are some more photos of Casa Rosdada
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30463&id=654295193&l=ef50624204

Safe travels and see you in Paradise,

Claudia

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Hello Couchsurfers,

I am not at my home Casa Rosada on Isabela island for the remainder of 2010 ( I am in Argentina). However, my good friend Dario, we all call him Lobo, is taking caring of another beach lot of mine right in town and ON the beach. We started Isabela Beach Camping there. He has a couple of my tents which I told him to please lend to couchsurfers for 2 free nights ,afterwards $5 per night, that contact us, or bring your own. The bathrooms and showers are only 1/2 block away and clean.. He speaks English and is also a Galapagos National Park Guide. He can help organize day trips for you and recommend free hikes and snorkeling spots on Isabela. His cell phone number is 0830217122 if dialed from inside Ecuador or dial +593 830217122 from any other country.

Take the ferry to Isabela, $30 one way from Santa Cruz island, and once at the dock on Isabela ask anyone for Lobo. Town is only 1 km straight down from the dock, an easy walk, or take any car/truck you see there they are all taxis and cost $1 per person. At the main square turn 1/2 block till you reach the beach, Lobo and our Isabela Beach Camping is on the corner next to the hospital.

You may also take the taxi, or walk straight past town, 2 more blocks to (my Hostel)Casa Rosada and ask another friend Felipe, the new manager of Casa Rosada,for rooms there. Look or ask for Lobo there from 5-7pm as well.

While at Casa Rosada try a Happy Hour, 5-7 pm, special drink offer of 2 for $5, check out the marine iguana breeding center there,take a walk on the beach at sunset, play a game of beach volleyball or just relax and listen to some music from the Galapagos islands.

Felipe is offering a 5 day special in October for US$350 per person which includes lodging, meals and many day tours on Isabela. If you are interested let me know and i will forward you more information via Felipe.

Here are some more photos of mine on Casa Rosada
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30463&id=654295193&l=ef50624204

This video was filmed of two Alpha Male Marine Iguanas fighting on the terrace and down the stairs of Casa Rosada.
http://www.youtube.com/user/iguanapolo#p/u/64/0yjXwKjj8dE

Bon voyage,
Claudia

Interests

• fish
• breakfast
• running
• drinking
• happy hour
• flying
• boating
• traveling
• music
• live music
• cycling
• equestrian
• fishing
• hiking
• camping
• hunting
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• volleyball
• history
• tourism
• tours
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

The band Iguanamen of Galapagos play live music nightly on the beach at Happy Hour at Casa Rosada from 5-7 pm.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Too many to list and more than 100 average lives on earth this century.

Teach, Learn, Share

uestion frequently asked of the Galapagos Islands.
Can one travel to Galapagos without a cruise reserved, without hotel reservations and without a strict itinerary to follow.

Answer is YSS !!!!

Of course ,you can travel to Galapagos on your own. They said the same thing , that it was impossible - one must have pre-arrangede trip etc, in 1987 when I first went by myself. There was no land based tourism back then - all cruises and very expensive. Now Galapagos is ideal for the South American traveler, even those on a budget.

The expensive part is arriving in Galapagos from either Quito or Guayaquil. Two early morning flights daily on either airline;

TAME AND AEROGAL AIRLINES RUN APPROX. $400 ROUND TRIP FOR TOURISTS AND HALF FOR ECUADORIANS.

Both airlines let you change your return date, for FREE, when you decide to stay longer in Galapagos. Also, you can fly into one island say Baltra-Santa Cruz and leave from San Cristobal, if you wish.

Children 12 and under pay 50% of airfare
NOTE; Icaro is a newer airline that flies only twice a week but I heard was less expensive.

Galapagos National Park charges all South American passport holders $50 at the airport, in cash only, upon arrival. This is your National ¨Park Entrance fee for all islands and all visitor sites. North American and European passport holders pay $100 Ash.
Children 12 and under pay half. Ecuadorians pay only $10.

There are 4 inhabited islands. Santa Cruz pop 10,000+
San Cristobal pop. 5,000+, pop. Isabela pop. 2,000+, Floreana 80+ YOU WILL FIND HOSTELS AT $10, $15 AND $20PER PERSON PER NIGHT ON ALL 4 ISLANDS - PLUS CAMPING. BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER FOR SET MENUS ARE ONLY $3 EACH.. Day TRIPS ARE SOMETIMES FREE OR ANYWHERE FROM $10 TO $35 TO $60 OR EVEN $100 FOR LONGER DAY LONG BOAT RIDE ADVENTURES. you MAY CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN MANY OR FEW OF THESE DAY TRIPS WHICH ARE ALL EASILY BOOKED A DAY IN ADVANCE ON EACH OF THE INHABITED ISLANDS.

I live on Isabela, the best inhabited island, we have a 3 km. long beach that starts in town and which is full of bird life, free snorkeling spots, mangrove trees, fresh water ponds, sand dunes, red crabs on beach, seas turtles laying eggs at night, marine iguanas, and star lit walks down the beach at low tide plus FULL MOON CEREMONIES, and.beautiful sunsets daily.

We do Happy Hour on the beach at my home,Casa Rosada daily from 5-7pm at sunset - we also play volleyball and have live music. The drinks are inexpensive, the atmosphere casual and the Argentine meat or veggie EMPANADAS the tastiest you ever had.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30463&id=654295193&l=ef50624204

Day trips on Isabela include; Snorkeling with sea turtles, penguins, sea lions, rays, fish, starfish and sharks if you so desire. Horseback riding to volcano Orr hiking the volcano Sierra Negra, cave exploring in lush green highlands, picking your own fruit at a tropical paradise, hiking or mountain biking to WALL of TEARS (google the history of Isabela. ,Fishing, and hunting wild pig trips can be specially arranged.. Scuba diving is an optional excursion.

From Puerto Ayora, the town on Santa Cruz, go to the dock and take a ferry at 2pm sharp and daily to isabela. I use Tranmartisa company, its office is located right at the dock next to restaurant, buy your tickets that same morning or at 1pm.. The cost is $30 per person (all same price) and $15 for kids.
Trip takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours and can be bumpy. near the back, less bumpy, and on the left side going to Isabela for the better view of 4 Hermanos and Isabela coastline.

Anyone and everyone is welcomed to pitch a tent on my beach property. A couch is usually available for the firts night, or two, and rooms are inexpensive at Casa Rosada. Plan on at least 5 days on Isabela, if you can. Cut something else short....

Here are some more photos of Casa Rosdada
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30463&id=654295193&l=ef50624204

Safe travels and see you in Paradise,

Claudia

•