Galapagos Islands









When I left you last, I had just had my second knee replaced and was recuperating in Happy Trails.  Now almost 4 months out on second knee and 5 1/2 on first, I am doing great.  Even playing a little pickleball.  But what was really great and fun was our trip to Galapagos Islands back on Feb. 13th-21st.  It was another trip of a lifetime.
We left Happy Trails and by way of Miami, we got to Guayaquil, Ecuador around 10:30 pm.  Great room was wasted since we only checked in, slept, and left for the plane to San  Cristobal and the islands.

       When we landed in San Cristobal, the Activities Director and the other Naturalists met us at the plane and arranged bus ride to dock.  We experienced the wildness as soon as we got to the dock with the sea lions and iguanas.
  Everyone was tired after traveling, but looking forward to getting to the ship.






 







    After getting on, we had all the necessary safety drills and then we hit the water running ( or the zodiacs that is)  This is our only mode of transportation to and from the islands, snorkeling, kayaking, etc.  First trip was to visit the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Center.   The map above shows you the map of our journey in the islands. The best way to tell the story is though pictures.  Each island and area were different with the birds and iguana’s changing to adept to that islands’ environment.   This will be mostly a picture with comments made occasionally.

 

 


 

 

Espanola Mockingbird

Nazca Boobie


 Sea Lions, Boobies (nazca, blue footed, and red footed ) and iguanas were the focus of our first couple of days.  Each island had a different variety.  The black and white bird with the 2 eggs is a Nazca Boobie.  What’s interesting was that they lay 2 eggs, that hatch 2 or 3 days apart.  If the first egg that hatches lives and is strong, the first born will push the second born out of the nest and it dies.  The mother can do nothing about it.  The strongest of the 2 will survive.  Therefore, the boobie birds only raise one chick at a time.



 



      




 


Blue Footed Boobie



   
 On one of the morning hikes we found a sea turtle that was still looking for a place to lay her eggs.  The naturalist was worried because she may not be strong enough after laying them to make it back to the water in the heat.     


This area was very popular the night before if you look at all the tracks along the beach where the turtles came in to lay eggs and then left afterwards.













 Later that morning we stopped at the post office.  This is a site on one island that the whalers would drop off any letters that they wanted to send home. The next boat that came in would then look at the letters and if they were headed that direction, they would take the letter and leave theirs.  The tourist are continuing the practice.  We have a letter to drop off at Huntsville, TX and another one for Thermopolis, WY. 



      
Snorkeling with sea lions
 

 











 

As you can see, we had a variety of activities, Kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and usually, more than one of each during any given day. One before breakfast, back to boat, then either, snorkeling or hiking or both before lunch, then between lunch and dinner, a repeat accept in a different place.  Also, very educational,  with talks after lunch regarding Darwin and/or photo classes to help use your camera in different lighting, situations.  Very good, except when I experimented with different settings, I had a lot of bad pictures. I did learn some things and little by little hope to improve. The next group of pictures are from the Darwin Research Center and Highlands on the island of Santa Cruz.



 

What are you lookin' at?






            




 
  





             On way out to Highlands where the tortoise are still free, we went through town and a fish market. The people weren’t the only ones wanting the fish. Then to a coffee and sugar plant.  Still doing things the old, old way. This fire is after the “hooch” was thrown into it. We sampled hooch straight from the still.
     

Worth the wait!!



    
 Now on to the Highlands      










 Back to hikes on south Plaza on Feb. 18th, the 5th day of the trip.

  

Blue Footed Boobie

 



 



                                                       Back to boat for swim before lunch.


 Then out snorkeling after lunch.



 






 



 




 


This is a lava rock hike on one of the newest islands in Galapagos. Santiago


 



 



    





   
 The Last day on Board, we went Kayaking, then on the Island Genovesa, we hiked  Darwin Bay where we saw all the Frigate birds trying to impress the one lone female and the red-footed boobies.  Then Snorkeling for one last time.  After lunch, one more hike, one of the 2 I missed due to my knees.  The stairs were steep and uneven and the rocks really loose on short, but steep inclines.  We didn’t want to take any chances with my new knees. 



 



 










 

  Next morning, the 21st, we took the zodiacs for one last ride to the Island of Baltra where we boarded a flight back to Guayaquil. Overnight then flights home.  Really a great trip.

    








  


















   






  





 






 





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