Nazcar Lines, Lima and Galapagos


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South America » Ecuador » Galápagos
September 17th 2006
Published: September 17th 2006
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Am back home now!! Well, until the first week in October anyway......... Here's my last installment of South America, covering the last bit of Peru (Nazca for the famous Nazca lines, and Lima) after which I flew to Quito in Ecuador. Quito is where you fly to Galapagos from, and also where I was flying back to England from. Had such a great time in South America, it was quite a wrench to leave... Read Full Entry



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Photos: 35, Displayed: 21


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Another Galapagos shotAnother Galapagos shot
Another Galapagos shot

The islands are all volcanic, which means a lot of them look like moonscapes. Quite eerie, and loads of famous films have been shot here.
Lava shotLava shot
Lava shot

Some weird and wonderful shapes in the lava fields.....
Lava fieldLava field
Lava field

This volcano erupted 120 years ago, and so much lava came out of it that it is actually 12km away from where I took this picture. There are still active volcanoes in Galapagos, with the last eruption being November 2005.
Seal.Seal.
Seal.

Awww, so cute!
A lovely pair of boobies!A lovely pair of boobies!
A lovely pair of boobies!

The blue footed kind......
Frigate birdsFrigate birds
Frigate birds

It takes a few hours in the morning for them to puff up their chests. Then they sit there with their wings spread trying to attract a female. They are known as pirates, because when the boobies come back from fishing, up to 20 miles offshore, the frigate birds peck the boobies chest forcing the boobie to regurgitate the fish which the frigate bird then steals. Poor, poor boobies.....
Iguana frenzy!Iguana frenzy!
Iguana frenzy!

They group up like this to keep warm during the night. Like all wildlife in Galapagos, they don´t give a monkeys about humans, and spend most of the day asleep.....
Sea Lion scratching itselfSea Lion scratching itself
Sea Lion scratching itself

To get to Galapagos you have to fly from either Guayaquil ($350 return) or Quito ($400) return. When you arrive you have to pay a $100 tax immediately, and a 8 day cruise on a cheap boat can easily cost over $1200. I managed to pay $770 by booking it on the day of departure. It was stressful, but very well worth it.
Sea Lion and pupSea Lion and pup
Sea Lion and pup

Each bull has about 20 females in his harem. He swims up and down the beach all day barking, whilst the females lie on the beach and suckle. They live for around 25 years and suckle up to the age of 6.
Iguana guarding the cliffIguana guarding the cliff
Iguana guarding the cliff

Not very well though......
Israeli girl pulling a couple of the localsIsraeli girl pulling a couple of the locals
Israeli girl pulling a couple of the locals

Tamar, an Israeli girl who was on the boat at the same time as me, amusing herself, and the locals!



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