1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #333 - Giant Tortoises, El Chato Ranch, Galapagos

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #333

- Giant Tortoises, El Chato Ranch, Galapagos

(And we are off.. immediately after checking into our cabin, to the El Chato ranch on the island of Santa Cruz, feeling like a real explorer. Before we know it, there he was, a giant tortoise, probably a cousin of the famous "Lonesome George". They are BIG! And they can live well over 200 years old, which makes it the perfect official emblem of the Galapagos. No where on earth can you find these lovable but critically endangered reptiles. We were also shown a large lava tunnel on this property, showing how the islands here were built - from the lava eruptions some 2 to 3 millions years ago, the youngest being only 700,000 years ago. But these gentle giants are the stars, and can weigh over 400kg - yes, 6 adults!) 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #332 - Galapagos Legend ship, Galapagos, Equador

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #332

- Galapagos Legend ship, Galapagos, Equador

 

(Another marathon day of flights out of El Calafate-Buenos Aires-Lima-Quito, and an almost laughable 2-hour sleep at the 5-star Quito Airport Wyndham Hotel, before we had to hop onto the 6.30am flight to..wait, wait..the Galapagos Islands! These mysterious islands, which David Attenborough talked about so often, were finally in our sights after a 3-hr flight to Baltra Island, one of 15 main islands here. We were quickly herded to a waiting bus, off to a jetty and on to our 'floating hotel' for 4 nights - the 100-person Galapagos Legend. So much excitement awaits us..)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #331 - Esplendor Hotel, El Calafate

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #331

- Esplendor Hotel, El Calafate

 

(This Esplendor Hotel at El Calafate brought big smiles from us when we walked in. With a wooden-beam ceiling, it had a million dollar view of the mountains of Patagonia. The interior of the hotel lobby was unique. We are usually happy with just 3-star hotels whenever we travel, but after a massive 36hr flight commute from Spore via Doha, Sao Paolo, and 2 heavily jet-lagged nights in Buenos Aires, this quality hotel room was a welcome 3-star luxury! It's a good hilly 15min walk away from the town centre, but turns out, it was the perfect exercise to burn off all that yummy Patagonian lamb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"10 Years Already? Time Flies.."

A wonderfully new milestone for me happened yesterday..

Dr Ang Peng Tiam said to me in his Mt E clinic:
"10 years already? Time flies. And your results today look great, Nellie"

And with that, my fight to be cancer-free reaches its 10-year milestone!
Throughout this time, Dr Ang and his personal assistant, Nurse Ace was by my side.

Feeling so grateful right now - I hope this photo of us shows my deep gratitude for them:

Thank you so much, Dr Ang and Nurse Ace!

(Later on, after this 10-second photoshoot, it was back to the chair, for more zoom-zoom drips into my body - a part of my life that few people know about, except my closest)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #330 - La Tablita Patagonian Lamb, El Calafate

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #330

- La Tablita Patagonian Lamb, El Calafate

(The Patagonian lamb - this is easily the best lamb we have ever had. Just look at how they are being prepared it - lined up to form a ring around the burning wood fire for 2 hours. The hotel recommended La Tablita, which was an elegantly appointed restaurant at the entrance of El Calafate. We ordered both the lamb, beef and chicken combo - the lamb being the tastiest. But our next dinner meal for only the lamb at Casimiro Bigua was even better - perhaps bcoz we left all stomach space for only the lamb. My view of a lamb dish has changed forever. Best part was, it was less than U$25 per person for huge portions!)