Author Archives: Joe Leoncio

The Galapagos Islands – Santiago and Rabida Island – Sept. 14, 2011 (Day 4 of 5)

After crossing the equator line from the northern hemisphere into the southern hemisphere, I did the Coriolis effect experiment in our bathroom sink.  As expected, the water drained counterclockwise. We visited Santiago Island in the morning.  It was full of … Continue reading

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The Galapagos Islands – Genovese Island – Sept. 13, 2011 (Day 3 of 5)

The overcast sky on the morning of Sept. 13 made it very cool and comfortable.  We landed on the beach at Genovese Island by boat, and we were greeted by the familiar sight of sleeping sea lions. We saw many … Continue reading

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The Galapagos Islands Cruise – Chinese Hat and Bartolome Islands – Sept. 12, 2011 (Day 2 of 5)

We woke up in the morning anchored about a hundred yards from the beach at Chinese Hat Island.  After breakfast, I swam to shore while the rest of the tour group took a dinghy to get to the island. On … Continue reading

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The Galapagos Islands Cruise – North Seymour Island- Sept. 11, 2011 (Day 1 of 5)

It was about a 45-minute flight from Quito to Guayaquil, Ecuador.  From there, it took an hour and a half to fly to the Galapagos Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean 1,000 miles west of Quito, Ecuador.  Anna and I … Continue reading

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The middle of the world! Quito, Ecuador – Sept. 10, 2011

Our primary objective in Quito was to book a tour of the Galapagos Islands, which we immediately started working on during the morning of the Sept. 10, 2011.  We finally booked our flight and tour, a total cost of about … Continue reading

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Whale-watching in Juanchaco, Colombia – Sept. 7-9, 2011

“We Always Win.”  That was the travel policy between Anna and I.  We had traveled all morning to get to Buenaventura.  Once we got there, we learned that we couldn’t continue by ferry to Juanchaco to go whale-watching because it … Continue reading

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Quick stop in Cali – Sept. 6, 2011

Anna and I arrived early in the morning in Cali.  We checked into the Jovita’s Hostel, where Anna went straight to bed and I hung out working on my Rubix cube.  Adriana, the receptionist told me that her and a … Continue reading

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Pablo Escobar Tour – Sept. 5, 2011

Anna- bless her heart- agreed to modify our plan and to stay in Medellin an extra day to do the Pablo Escobar tour offered by the hostel.  I had read the book Killing Pablo, by Mark Bowden earlier this year … Continue reading

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Piedra de Penol – Sept. 4, 2011

After a night out at Medellin, Anna and I went one a day trip outside of Medellin to a place called the Piedra de Penol.  All it was was a giant rock, like the tall mountains of Rio De Janeiro, … Continue reading

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Medellin, Colombia – Sept. 3, 2011

Medellin is known for its nightlife.  Anna and I went out for a night there.  We went to this club called Red, not too far from the Tiger Paw hostel where we were staying.  We sat there for a while … Continue reading

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