Humpback Whales in Ecuador

This was one of the highlights of our trip. Something about seeing big animals up close that is truly inspiring. The video clip below was taken in the Manchalilla National Park in Ecuador, which is sometimes called "the poor man's Galapagos'.

After doing a few such excursions, treks and trips you come to realize that much of the time the animals aren't willing to co-operate. You might get a glimpse of them, but it is so fleeting that it is unsatisfying. These monster humpback whales in Ecuador surprised us by being so unconcerned about our little tour boat trundling along parallel to them. They seemed so joyously wrapped up in being whales in the mating season - splashing and diving and lifting their huge tail fins. Brilliant. 

The whole trip including lunch and a walking tour of a bird colony only came to about $30. It was worth it. Obviously not as animal-tastic as going to the Galapagos islands; but still full on. Besides, as I've mentioned before, there is an irritating smug factor about going to the Galapagos islands that puts me off wasting the thousands of dollars. People confuse going to special places with them being special people. Charles Darwin managed both - bless that long bearded Victorian that American God-lovers have come to despise.

Isla de la Plata and humpback whales

While staying on Ecuador´s famous surf beach Montanita, we made a day excursion to Parque National Machalilla which was only a few clicks down the road. We paid about $40 each. For that we got free transfers to and from the boat at Porto Lopez, paid admission fees to the park, lunch and use of snorkel equipment.

It was an awesome day out. The best part came first as we saw loads of humpback whale action on the way to the bird colony island (Isla de la Plata).

I had never been to a bird colony before. Because nobody inhabits the island the birds don´t see people as a threat. Rather than flying off when our group got close, the birds just ignored us and carried on with the important business of mating, fishing and defending their territory.

The guide spoke good English and was spot on with his advice so the tourists didn´t disrupt the birds. In our group there were about 20 people and I reckon I was the scruffiest one amongst them. Despite that I was the only one to show my appreciation to the guide by tipping him.

Isla de la Plata is sometimes referred to as the poor man´s Galapagos Islands. $40 instead of $2,000 - you bet. I´m sure the Galapagpos is unparalleled in it´s variety of flora and fauna but in this holiday we´ve noticed the huge smug factor of those who have done the islands. Their main joys in life are lording it over the peasants who haven´t been and smelling their own farts.

Only joking of course.

This is a humpback whale enjoying big splashing fun. They seemed oblivious to the presence of the boat as they frolliced in the waves. It was meant to be the mating season, but we didn´t witness any humpback penetration action, more like post coital play.


These are the delightfully named blue feet boobies. They nest on the ground and walk around in Charlie Chaplin fashion showing off their blue extremities.


This is a Nazca booby (I think).

This is the appropriately named magnificent frigate. To impress the females the man expends considerable energy puffing up the red bladder on his neck and making an odd screeching noise. Maybe not a turn on for everyone, but in my opinion more impressive than a new pair of trainers.