A special thanks

To my family and friends for all their support. The love and support of many made this dream possible. A special thanks to my college roommate and best man, Skip Allen. Skip came to assist me through all the transportation issues that were so difficult for me. He also had a great time as did I.

A typical beach on the Galapagos Islands

The water temperature was about 78 degrees and the waves were gentle. They are pristine and undeveloped one way the people of the Galapagos are controlling the number of visitors to their paradise.

A tortoise breeding station

Tortoise eggs arre hatched here and protected from predation. Humans have introduced rats, cats and dogs which have become feral and prey on young tortoises. The tortoises are raised till about 10 years old then released to the environment. The largest island, Isabella, has 5 different species of tortoises it was formed by 5 different volcanos. There is some evidence to suggest that a unique species evolved on each volcano and then the continuing lava flows brought them all together.

At sea level the mangroves help creat soil and provide protection

There are four type mangroves in the Galapagos. They are established in areas of different salinity. One type only grows in fresh water and the US Army used this information to find fresh water while constructing an airbase in the Galapagos during World War II

View from the top of the volcano

 The photo is from about 1800 feet above sea level. There are no roads to take one to the rim. Hiking up the path takes about an hour and a half. The rain clouds are closing in, and being the rainy season, well it rained. We got soaked on the way down but up early enough to get some good photos and views.

The second largest exposed caldera in the world

The view is across a lava field (cooled) below the rim of the volcan negra. The distance is reported to be 18 kilometers. The last eruption was in 2005. The lava chamber is only 2 kilometers below the surface in this area.

Soil building

The rocks are all from lava flows of ancient volcanos. The while is a lichen that is breaking down the rocks to form a soil. This is the foundation for the plant life on these islands. which range in age from 50 million to 1 million years.

A penguin and blue footed boobies taking a break

The penguin is on the left. There are only about 200 in this area so we were fortunate to see them. They are so fast in the water that I could not get a photo of them.

Different Isla same behavior

 This was taken in the port of the island Isabella. There are many species that evolved with unigue charactistics on individual islands. The sea lions have concluded that boats are better than rocks or park benches for a rest between meals.

Marine iguanas nest building

 The creatures here are not afraid of humans. This is a nesting site for these iguanas. They are ungainly in water but extremely efficient in the water. They have very long digits on their feet and can hold onto rocks while being pounded by the surf. they eat algae. The only predator is the frigate bird which will dig up and eat the eggs.

This formation is called Kicker Rock

The rocks are about 180 feet tall and the gap between them about 40 feet wide. The water is about 50 feet deep here. This is the best snorkling I have done  to date. The many colored coral formations on the walls are spectacular. The marine life we observed included: sea turtles, manta rays, puffer fish and three kinds of sharks (white tip reef, black tip, and galapagos) The last was about 8 feet long. Fortunately for us they were resting and would leave at night to hunt.

All flora and fauna are protected, even an easy meal like these

These crabs are protected. They are ubiquitous and are easily picked up and not exactly camouflaged

A different day at the beach

Sea lions make themselves comfortable everywhere in the Galapagos. They are so graceful in the water, as I had a few opportunities to observe and swim with them. Some choose to lounge the day away on a bench and the more ambitious choose to sleep in the boats moored in the harbor. They hunt at night.

Ever hopeful

This pelican watched while we fished for awhile. As we started winding in the fishing line (empty) this bird swooped up to the rear of the boat looking for a handout. We thought he might try and take the lure but he was too smart for that. It is amazing how they can fly inches above the water and account for the swells and waves.

The commericial district on San Cristobal

This is the scene that greets a visitor. They have addressed the water with this park area, The sea lions flop where ever they want and everyone walks around them. Most of the commerical district is within 5 blocks of this point.

The harbor on San Cristobal

A collection of working vessels and pleasure craft. There are water taxis to ferry people and gear put to these boats. A very interesting operation as people are will to wait their turn.

Sea Lions relaxing on the beach

A protected beach on Santa Fe Isla. The sea lions took full advantage of this beautiful setting in these reef proected shallow waters.

Snorkling near another Island we swam with these creatures

They are so quick and graceful in the water. That is cooled lava they are walking on. The guide was able to call them out into the water when we were there. The water temperature is 78 to 80 degrees, too hoy for sharks.

A blue footed booby

This bird was fishing near the port. I only saw a missed attempt but the bird sure looked healthy. We went snorkling near this area and saw lots of fish on the reef and were lucky enough to swim with a green sea turtle. That was really cool.

The star of the show

A giant tortoise. This is a relatively young male. He was not impressed by our presence and hissed.

A crater that was formed when the lava dome collapsed

The songs of the birds echoed through this crater. It was an amazing concert.

The jet that carried me to the Galapagos

It was a beautiful day

I have been truly blessed

At least 3 miles of the road ride this morning had this view. It takes about 20 minutes to go those three miles so this was significant. maybe it was the luck of the Irish. I am thankful for all the blessings bestowed upon me and for all the great friends and support groups that Robin and I have.

And of course what is a river bank with out a caiman?

He had just finished sunning and was about to start the hunt

A whitefaced monkey races past

The guide said this is a rare sight. I suspect that is a common phrase here

Hognosed bats

The black spotches on the bottom of this branch are bats. It is amazing how adaptive each species is. They are almost perfectly flat on the branch.

Wildlife seen on a day trip to Caño Negra

Iguanas just lounging around

This is something you never want to bump into

A viper. The guide said it is poisonous and aggressive, a bad combination if you encounter a snake.

The forest is so lush!!

A view of the Rainforest in Costa Rico

Almost every photon that arrives in this area is caught but some plant. The plants even grow on the bark of trees. In the distance you can see the cloud. This is actually called the Monteverde Cloud Forest

The team that built the home and the family

It was a wonderful experience that truly makes a difference in people´s lives

My home stay family

Ilse was a tutor, cook and friend.  Her husband Oscar was rarely around when I was in the house. Marta is a 20 year old from Germany who wants to major in International Business. She is fluent in English, Spanish and German, a very good start.

The work the family members do to get a house built

This guy carried five blocks at a time over a distance of about 75 yards over uneven and even sandy soil for three hours straight. His home will be built next week and the family must get the materials from the street to the house site by the time the work will start. The materials were just delivered this morning (Friday). His wife matched him step for step with two blocks on her head for three hours!!

The finished house

This is the matriarch´s home. The blue house in the background belongs to one of her children´s family. Another child will receive anew house next week. All the corn stalk homes bordering the steep hillside will be abandoned for these safer homes.

A pinata celebration of the completion of the houses

The pinata is traditional at celebrations in Guatemala and the children are given fist oportunity to break it open with a stick. Hidden inside are candies and small toys. When the pinata is finally opened there is a mad dash to collect the goodies.

The family we worked for receiving the keys to their new home

The inside of the new house with the family. The son has something wrong with his foot but did not let that stop him from helping us in everyway possible.  Mom was just so effusive as to how much this meant to her. She was unable to contain her emotion and it spilled out into the room.

A suggestion that was adopted

This site is so hilly, I suggested that we provide steps for the matriarch of the families´ home. She scours far and wide for wood for their cooking fires and I thought a few steps at the end of her journey, in lieu of walking up a sandy slpe would be nice, The Guatemalan workers adopted the idea and we created steps.

Concrete mixing Guatemalan Style

17 wheelbarrows of sand are placed on the ground. & bags of cement are placed on top and opened. Then a group of people take this material and make two volcanos. Then those two are moved by shovel to make one large volcano. Then 6 wheel barrows of stone are added. The masons then make a crater of sorts and water about 100 gallons (no one measures) are added. The result is concrete.

The inside back wall of a typical hose we are building here

There are two grade beams in this construction and 4 vertical reinforced columns in this wall. The scaffolding shown  is typically used. The finish is  two inches of concrete on the floor and a water based (similar to a whitewash) paint on the walls. The inside of this house will be sky blue.

The safer way to travel on some of these roads

A lot of wood and food is moved by animal poert and people power here

Road leading to the third house

The road is rutted and the drainage is that hole on the side of the road along side the man shown walking here.  The slope of the road is about 6 percent

View of the 3rd house construction site

This is a very hilly area. The ground rises about 100 feet above these structures and I am concerned for their safety in aheavy rain. Yhere are five families living here. We are building homes for two of these families.The people farm the area in the hills behing the houses. The existing houses are made of metal and corn stalks.

Typical view of the horizon Antigua Guatemala

The city lies in a plain surrounded by mountains and volcanos. The width of the bowl is at most three miles.Most building are single story and the roof tops half metal and half clay tile.

The ¨Chicken Bus¨

This the way most people here get from town to town. The fare is very low but they are crowded and you do not see many gringos on them. The name was assigned in the past when people used to bring their farm animals  to the market on the bus. They generally take off with a cloud of unburned diesel fuel.They also have a conductor who loads baggage on top if necessary.

The cells the nuns lived in

This was a simple monastic life. There are 20 identical cells like this, very spartan in which the nuns lived. They were precluded from contact with the outside world.

One of two convents for cloistered nuns in town

This is the court yard in one of the convents in town. All of these older buildings were massive and impresive.

The newly renovated Hacienda of the captain general of Central America

This palace was destroyed in the earthquake of 1773. Prior to that it served as the seat of government power throughout Central America, less Mexico. A typical day in January here is about 80 degrees and mostly sunny. This city is about 4800 fet above sea level which moderates the climate.

The construction team and the recpient family

The camera had to have some funny lens on it. Maybe it was the great meal. It was a tough house to construct on such a limited site but a very rewarding one. the two guys on either side of me are incredible hard workers. Hector on my left looking at this photo and Abel on my right. Jean and Stan were the other volunteers.

The finished house

The colors are selected by the family from a very limited palette.An operable window and door were installed after this picture was taken. To the right of the door opening is the old corn stalk house. I learned yesterday that, as recipients of a home, the family is also entitled to school supplies and  medical care at the free clinic that the organization de casas a hogres is currently completiing. It has been impressive.

The celebration of the completion of houses for two sisters

Two houses were built about 10 meters apart for sisters. The house I worked on is shown here.At the table are all the workers, paid and volunteer, the father and mother of this house and the sister of the other house. The meal was served by the ninos. It was an elegant Mayan meal served and received with gratitude.