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Arrived in Puerto Lopez and checked into the poshest hotel we could find (after all it was Jona's birthday the next day). You'll see from the photos our cabin set in botanical gardens, it was lovely. We arranged a trip to Isla De La Plata (the poor mans Galapagos) for the following day, so Jona could spend his birthday watching Boobies!
So up and off to the tour operator we go and who should be there but Sharon & Sarah who we had met in Canoa. We were really lucky as it was just the four of us on the tour, and they even broke out the posh boat to get us to the island.
On the way out we were lucky enough to see Blue Footed Boobies dive bombing the ocean where a pod of Dolphins were feeding, amazing! A sight straight out of Wildlife on One! A little closer to the island we also managed to get a few glimpses of humpbacked whales on their trip up from the Antartic.
We got to the island and started searching for boobies in earnest. It didn't take long, they were everywhere! Blue footed boobies are now our favourite birds, they are hilarious. The males whistle at the females, who make a squawk back, they then launch into the funniest mating dance we have ever seen (see the photo!).
Next came the Frigatebirds with their huge ballooned red necks. Followed by the Nazca, or Masked, Boobies all sitting on their eggs being very protective. The Red Footed Boobies were a tad elusive, but we did manage to spot a couple in the trees.
A brief stop for lunch back on the boat whilst watching the Angel Fish swim beneath us then headed back to the mainland. All of a sudden our Captain opens up the boat full throttle and two minutes later we are litterally feet away from a couple of Humpback Whales and their calves. A breathtaking sight, that neither of us will ever forget.
A pretty good birthday for Jona all in all, rounded off with a slap up feed and birthday cake back in the luxury of our hotel.
Next day we popped in for lunch at Sarah & Sharon's hotel. We say popped in, but the bike taxi that took us nearly caught fire on every uphill and it took us ages to get there! But it was worth it for our lunch served out of bamboo, coconuts and the like.
Bellys full we headed off to Los Frailles, Ecuadors best beach - so we were told. It was pristine and idyllic, set in a cresent bay in one of Ecuadors National Parks. A spot of hiking in the park near the bay, a good-bye to the girls then back to town for our last night in Puerto Lopez.
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