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Ar y Lein

Programme 2 : Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

Following the heat of the Amazon it was a relief for the whole crew to reach Ecuador and the welcome breeze of the Andes. The first destination for Bethan is the capital, Quito. The initial shock for the crew was the lack of oxygen. Quito is very high – 2850m, therefore most people suffer from symptoms of altitude sickness on the first day – or two.

Here again there were celebrations – a festival to celebrate rebuilding the city by the Spanish after the Incas destroyed it because they would rather do that than allow the Spanish to get their hands on Quito.

Bethan joined in the celebrations, “A big part of the celebrations is going around the city in chivas, a kind of bus which is more similar to a lorry, with a brass band sitting on the roof and people inside and on the back of the lorry singing and shouting and whistling, while sharing bottles of alcohol. One was aguardiente and the other canelazo, and I got to taste both - I didn’t have too much, honestly!”

After celebrating, Bethan and the crew went up the Andes mountains and stopped at a small village called San Juan De Iluman on the way, where they visited a small school. The boys there looked remarkably like girls because they all had long hair. Bethan stayed overnight in a local Hacienda and also learnt about the fascinating history of the Andes weavers.

Then onwards to the famous Galápagos Islands which were brought to the world’s attention by Charles Darwin. The wildlife there is amazing and Bethan had a great opportunity to see what was there. As well as learning more about the research work being done in the Galápagos, Bethan also snorkled near Seymour Island, rode on horseback up Sierra Negro volcano and met El Solitario George, or Lonesome George, an elderly tortoise who is the only one of it’s kind left in the world. He’s the last of the Pinto Island Tortoises still alive.

View images of Bethan's journey in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

© 2012 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales