Day 4 - - Happy Birthday to Me

Wokeup this morning to a cold a rainy day. When faced with the choice between going on a hike or getting a spa treatment I chose the latter. On the way to the spa I saw a giant humming bird. It was easily twice the size of any humming bird I´¨ve ever seen in the US. It was irredescent emerald green in coloring and dining on the necter of a passion fruit flower. At the spa I decided on an hour long hot stone massage. It cost me $34 US. Happy birthday to me!

The pregnant lady decided to stay back as well and the two of us went to the spa together. Honestly, I think most of the group was on the fence but Pablo is such a salesman that the other six went on the hike. After our spa treatments the pregnant lady and I had tea and chatted a bit. On the way back to our rooms we noticed the hikers in a hot tub so I decided to join them.

We had lunch at the resort before heading back to Quito. At the end of the meal they surprised me with a cake. As soon as I blew out my candle (thankfully they didn´t light 39 other ones) an Air Supply song came on. I joke that it was a perfect birthday -- cake AND my favorite band.

The drive to Quito was quick as was our goodbye to Pablo. He gave me his phone number and email in case we decide to go to a ¨football¨ match on Saturday before we all head back.

The Mercure Hotel has become our base camp. I´m living out of one bag and storing things in the other one. Now that we are done with the cool weather of the highlands it is time to pack warm weather clothes for the Galapagos. We found out when we arrived that the weight restrictions have changed and are only allowed one carry on and one 20lb back (not a 30lb bag as originally told). At least I can load up my carry-on with my heavy gear