As nature intended

Trip Start Jan 04, 2010

Trip End Jan 04, 2011

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Where I stayed

Lirio del Mar

Flag of Ecuador Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

I am fully aware that your interest in what I have to say about the Galapagos Islands is due to the Wildlife and not because of my wild life. However, I need to mention my very own Man Friday that I have met here and who rarely leaves my side. For those of you who are not into the mushy stuff, then don't read on and for those of you are then be reassured that you'll be spared the details.

I am having a 'Juan-derful' time with a Galapaganian man called Juan Jose Moran Zuniga. Born and bred here he is a living breathing action man. He can catch octopus with his hands. Swims with sharks. Walks over rocks like it’s a carpet. Served in the Navy he is now an assistant captain on tourist cruises. Has scratches and scars all over his very dark skin like a wounded dolphin; including a bite from a sealion and a great gash from a rock that he has covered with a large iguana tattoo.

I dropped by one day to find him building a wall before he did the plumbing and prepared passionfruit juice for us

Hanita y Juanito 1

. He is currently building his own house and yesterday morning pretty much single handedly laid the foundations while I scurried around his garden looking for small volcanic rocks, disturbing copulating lizards.

He took me out sailing and fishing and held my hand whilst we snorkeled for turtles and sharks. I nigh on gave up swimming as he was strong enough to tag me along by one hand. One night he caught us lobster to eat for dinner. He built a fire on the beach where we camped and he fed me lobster and plantain until I couldn’t taste it any more.

He holds me all night so much so that I can't sleep. As nature intended.

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