Robyn - Galapagos Islands
Robyn, a pediatrician, volunteered in a clinic on the Galapagos Islands.
View of Quito
My first day in Ecuador was spent in the capital city, Quito. The best view of the city is seen after taking a cable car system called Teleferico to the top of a mountain. You can see the entire city lying between the eastern and western ridges of the Andes from the top!
Horseback above Quito
From the top of the mountain in Quito, you can see the land from a different perspective on horseback. They even lend you traditional clothing to keep warm up in the mountains.
Isla Isabela
Isabela is the largest of the islands in the Galapagos. In addition to its active volcanoes, it is known for its beautiful beaches. The view of the ocean at sunset is unforgettable!
Las Grietas
Las Grietas are found on the island of Santa Cruz. They literally mean “the fissures” and are deep cracks in the earth filled with salt water and a few species of fish. You can throw your snorkel on, jump in, and enjoy the seemingly bottomless sights below!
Sea Lions
The sea lions or “lobos marinos” aren’t hard to find… just look for calm, quiet spots in the sun. They can be quite entertaining at dinnertime when the fish are brought in from the fishing boats. The sea lions hang around the docks for the opportunity to steal a fish and head for the shore!
Tortoises
The Galapagos are famous for their giant tortoises. Meet Lonesome George, the famous last member of the Pincha species. You can get up close and personal with the tortoises at a protected tortoise growth center or at a few places in the wild.
The Hospital
The only hospital on the main island of Santa Cruz is a 14-bed facility that sits along the coast. It is called “Hospital Republica del Ecuador.”
Hospital Room
One of the inpatient “rooms” at the hospital. They consisted of cots with sheets over the windows and no doors. Very basic but at least there was one person to a room!
Examination Room
There were two pediatricians working in the “clinic” in the first floor of the hospital. This is the room where I worked with one of the pediatricians seeing patients on an outpatient basis. There were plastic chairs, a patient bed, and a desk in the room. The water was usually not working so we used an outrageous amount of hand gel!
At Work
I saw patients every day with the Ecuadorian pediatrician. The kids were adorable!
Another Patient
Another adorable little girl in the clinic. She didn’t mind the camera at all!
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is very popular in the Galapagos. There are so many great dive sites to choose from. Take advantage of the opportunity to dive with the turtles, sharks, manta rays, and sea lions!
More Scuba
It is a treat to see the sea turtles close up below the surface. They are incredibly graceful and peaceful underwater!
