Summer 2014
Our journey to Ecuador began in the capital of Quito but we quickly escaped the bustle of the city and headed south to Cotopaxi, one of the major peaks of the Andes Mountains. In the days that followed Tory & I successfully hiked to the mountain’s icy glacier line at 16,000 ft, rode horses in the sun drenched valley below, and rubbed elbows with all the local llamas on the farm.
Continuing south we eventually landed in the city of Baños where we rode "The Swing At The End Of The World” at La Casa Del Arbol (The Treehouse). From there we hitched a white-knuckled car ride West, through six hours of hairpin turns and countless cliffs without barriers to the port of Guayaquil. By morning we would leave mainland Ecuador for the majestic Galápagos Islands.
Galápagos is no doubt a bucket list destination for many, and we can safely say that it's magic was evident to us immediately. Within our first hour of exploring we were swimming face to face with the local sea lions, an interaction that will remain with us forever. Over the week that followed Tory & I traveled by land, air, and sea to the islands of San Cristobal, Isabella, & Santa Cruz. While exploring the archipelagos oceans, forests, and volcanic valleys we were continuously spellbound by the wildlife we encountered. Darwin was really on to something here...
Filmed by: Dennis Samatulski & Tory Woods
Edited by: Dennis Samatulski
Music:
“Cell Mates” - Mariachi El Bronx
“Ocean Man” - Ween