Island time

So far, this has been quite a day.  Confusion between the Quito office and the islands now has us out in floreana waiting ti return to the same port we just left to meet our boat.  This wasn't some kind of language confusion,  no one seems to know.   Considering that we've spoken to some 10 people about this, you think someone would be able to say what's happening.

It seems like too many cooks are confusing the stew, at least.  Everyone has been "helping" us, telling us where to go (Which is very odd, to have a tour guide to a 15-street town) and noone seems to have been in touch with the actual boat that we will get on.  So we went, as instructed by a variety of people,  to floreana,  to meet our boat, onky findjng out now that the boat wiuld not be there.

The "45 minute" ride, which was really 90 minutes, featured one of the passengers vomiting repeatedly while at one point trying to nurse her infant,  categorically one of the most awkward things I have ever witnessed.  It is a high-powered cabin cruiser with three 200hp engines converted into a 24 passengers ferry.  Speedy, but not cozy.

So, we spent the afternoon with a few sodas, clambering over the volcanic rocks to look at bright red crabs, rainbow colored iguanas and the black swimming iguanas.   Only the crabs seemed to care that we came close.  It was amazing to see yet another group of amazing creatures.  I lost my footing on the rocks and almost fell on an iguana,  which surely would have upset the thing - and me, no doubt.

The Tip Top Hotel on Floreana (possibly the only hotel on Floreana?) has been in touch with the office of Tip Top and no one, it seems,  has spoken with the folks at their office in Quito.  

The lady at the floreana hotel told us that we can meet up with our boat back in the harbor that we just left this morning.  I had to talk our way onto the return launch because it was crowded.  After we randomly stopped to let people snorkel for 40 minutes,  we got under way.  While at this stop, the captain confronted me about the fee to return,  $60 for the pair of us.

"You pay me, then get reimbursement from the agency," he said.

"Okay, but that will never happen.   I will never get that money back.  How much do you need?" I asked.   These negotiations often go better when you start agreeably.  "I realize you're doing us a favor,  but the agency really messed up."

This happens a lot here, it seems.   I asked everyone today - are you sure?   All big boats leave from Ayora, are you sure we're in Floreana? 

Yes, this is very unusual,  but they said Floreana.  

"They only paid one way," the captain stated, annoyed at the situation himself.   "The boat is in Puerto Ayora.  You're right, their mistake,  they should pay." 

I should have asked for the mask and fins then.  The rest of the ride was uneventful.