Floreana Island

It is a beautiful island and we had fun here. It is named for President Flores who was the one who claimed the Galapagos for Ecuador. Peru wanted the area. Ecuador and Peru have a very hostile history and continue to harbour ill feelings. Ecuador is very self sufficient when it come to agriculture which is rather unique, I understand, for South America. One thing I have noticed in the port towns, Quito, in the rural areas, Mindo, etc is that despite the extreme levels of poverty, people dress nicely and are very clean. There is always someone sweeping the streets and plazas, doing roadwork, making sure the gutters are free to carry rainwater. Although the guides claim elementary school is mandatory, I've certainly seen lots of kids who have opted out or have been kept out to work. Clothes (not well made stuff but clothes) are fairly inexpensive. Other things, however, are not. Food is not cheap. A washing machine is about $800 and old fashioned tvs sell for $400-500. A relatively small (by our standards) flat screen was $1700. A gas range was $900 and a fridge was $1000.