Most Intense Bioluminescence Ever & A 42 Hour Bus Trip

It’s just the two of us once again and things are quiet on the boat. The seas are glassy so we jump in the dinghy for a night stroll…and we get the most intense bioluminescence show of our lives! Nature was showing off and we were lucky enough to catch it on camera!

And then…we’ve been without our passports for five weeks now. So, when we got the email our French Polynesia Visas (and passports) were back, we jumped on the next bus to Quito.

Well, almost. It was a bus to a bus and then another bus. It’s a 42-hour adventure we’ve whittled down to 12 minutes.  Click the play button!

What a trip!  A long and surprisingly quick 42 hours of our lives. While the bus system worked great and was affordable, I’d rather be sailing. But Quito on the other hand, is a fantastic city worth exploring anytime.

Bioluminescent – Do I turn you on?

Bioluminescence might be my all-time favorite natural phenomenon! Living organisms creating light. It looks like a scene right out of a science fiction movie, but it’s real…oh so real!

There are some bioluminescent creatures on land like fireflies, but there must be billions in the sea. Bacteria, jellyfish, starfish, clams, worms, squid and the list goes on. There’s so much to see in the deep dark sea.

Research isn’t solid on why these creatures create bursts of light. Most believe it’s a form of defense or a way to attract mates. Were those sea creatures trying to mate with us? Was it the way Minion glides through the water? Do I turn you on baby, do I?

Pha, ok, it was most likely a form of defense.

Getting Around Ecuador – Buses and Taxi’s

Taxis – They vary in every shape, size and form, including the quality of the car. That said, we typically had very friendly drivers and great experiences. Taxis are yellow, have a lit ‘taxi’ sign or sticker on the windshield. In the bigger cities, taxis have an orange or orange-striped license plate.  Most important, always ask “Cuánto cuesta” (how much) beforehand, there are rarely working meters.

Buses – There are three main types of buses in Ecuador. The small-town, big city and commercial/long distance buses. As in most cities around the world, travel by bus isn’t the fastest.  But, it’s often the cheapest and it will get you where you need to go. That is 100% true in Ecuador.

• Small-town buses are not on set schedules but are plentiful and only require a wave to flag them down. But, hop on quick, because they don’t stop for long.  It’s good to know a little Spanish because it’s rare to find an English speaking bus driver.
• Big city buses are on a schedule but are best during low traffic times. During peak hours they are packed and run slow due to traffic.
• Commercial buses are nice (most with A/C, but its Ecuador, so there’s no guarantees). The biggest pain here is purchasing tickets. You can’t book online and you must show up to the bus station to buy tickets. The seats often sell out 24 hours in advance. So, your chances of showing up and buying a ticket same day can be slim to none. Best to plan and purchase at least 24 hours in advance. Our tickets to/from Salinas/Quito were $17 each way per person.  Our bus was comfy, but on the return trip the A/C was having trouble which made sleeping difficult on the overnight trip.

Quito Sips & Bites

We’ve spent a decent amount of time in Quito. Enough to know good food can be found through any hole in the wall. This trip was no exception.

• En Dulce – Calle Guayaquil N6-56 y Olmedo, 170111, Ecuador
  I wanted to buy every cake and pastry they had available. Watching the bakers work while sipping our cappuccinos was just too much.
• Galletti Coffee Roasters – You can find their coffees at the grocery stores or head over to one of the local cafes for a fresh cup and treat! We stocked up on their Amazon roast before leaving!
• ZAO – Paul Rivet N30-145, Quito, Ecuador
  Seriously good Thai food…and unexpectedly awesome sangria.

Curious About Our Camera Gear?

• Most of this entire video was shot with our little pocket size Sony.  All Our Camera Gear Here: gonewiththewynns.com/camera-gear-review-2017
• All our fave gadgets and gear can be found in Our Gear store: gonewiththewynns.com/store

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