Blogs from San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador, South America - page 4

Heute verlassen einige Mitreisende die Princess und neue Passagiere kommen an Bord. Dies eroeffnet uns die Moeglichkeit, eine obere Kajuete in Beschlag zu nehmen - endlich sind wir erloest von Motorenlaerm und Dieselgestank; dafuer spueren wir das Schaukeln des Bootes im zweiten Stock umso staerker. Am Nachmittag schnorcheln wir in der Seehundbucht auf San Cristobal. Vor acht Jahren haben Wilderer hier die halbe Kolonie - zirka vierzig Seeloewen - abgeschlachtet, um an Elfenbein zu gelangen. Dafuer lassen sich heute im eiskalten Wasser dutzende Meeresschildkroeten unterschiedlichster Groesse beobachten: Vom kleinen Paddelboot bis hin zum algenbewachsenen, traegen Schlachtschiff. Nach langem Aerger hat Max nun endlich auch ein nicht-romanisches Buch ergattert: Die Buchvorlage "The Far Side Of The World" von O'Brian fuer den Film "Master and Commander", bei welchem die britischen Pro... read more

Panama and Galapagos Islands Our last blog was posted on the 23rd of April and at that time we were pretty hopeful of leaving Panama in a couple of days after that. We ended up leaving Panama (for the first time) on the 26th of April, the day after Debs birthday. We got away well and about 40 miles out we lost our autopilot and had some engine troubles so we had to turn around and head back. First analysis was that we might be up for a new autopilot which was going to delay us no end but it turned out that some connections to the computer module needed a bit of attention and after that it was as good as new. We then planned to leave a couple of days later but then disaster ... read more

Next morning we strolled across the road to the two hotels we were planning to use (which were right next door) to enquire about their rates for our second night and using their internet. $132 a night plus taxes. Yikes! We'd been told they'd be cheaper than the Grand Hotel which was only $90 a night. We ran into the owner of the boat again in the souvenir shop/office downstairs and said we'd like to stay a second night. Ok, he said. $40. I reminded him he'd metioned a refund of our boat fares - $50. Ok, we'd work something out. In the end, we never sawe him again, nor the refund but we stayed a second night regardless at no cost, so we were happy. We used the Hotel Miconia's internet nextdoor (just buy lunch ... read more

Book Review Adapted from and quotes by Carol Ann Bassett, 2009, Galapagos at the crossroads, National Geographic Society The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes¨ - Marcel Proust 1000km off the west coast of South America, a lonely Albatross soars majestically just above the reach of the rolling swell. It’s been a long journey and although his wings never seem to tire it feels good to be home. Las Encantadas “the enchanted islands”. A meeting place for the life bringing cold, nutrient rich Humboldt current, driven perpetually north by the south east trade winds, and the opposing life depleting El Niño current which meanders south from the equator, bringing with it death and destruction. The albatross slowly banks and rises, seemingly effortlessly on the equatorial, warm thermal ... read more