Blogs from Galápagos, Ecuador, South America - page 4

Where to start??? Journey of a lifetime! Have just spent the last 5 days in one of the most unique and amazing places on earth. Being able to get up close and personal to some of the worlds rarest animals was an experience of a lifetime. Day 1: flew from Quito to Baltra via Guayaquil with all 16 of us that we're on our boat tour. After having a 2 hr flight with our flight we made it to the airport in Baltra. basically a big shed with no other buildings etc in sight. We met our guide and headed for our boat, the "Darwin". Nice small cabins, with a bunk bed and tiny bathroom, no room for 2 people to even walk in the cabin at the same time. We went for an afternoon trip ... read more

A really enjoyable experience with much nature and wildlife to see. In San Cristobal they had built benches along the seafront so that you could sit and contempate the harbour. However, these were not always available as the seals would leave the ocean and use them to sunbathe (see photo 1). Galapagos is the only place in the world where you can find a cactus that grows with a tree-like trunk (see photo 2). The Galapagos is also well known for its bird life and I managed to photograph a pelican (see photo 3), and a bird in a tree that I was able to immediately identify as A Bird In A Tree (see photo 4). I was also fortunate enough to photograph a blue-footed booby (see photo 5). I can see why it is classified ... read more

We got up early this morning to watch the sunrise, and observe the boat pulling into the spot where we would spend today. Justin and I argued over whether the island was called ''Chinese Hat'' Island or ''Chinese Hut'' Island, until the capitan came out, pointed to the island and said ''Sombrero China!'' HA! I win Chinese Hat Island We had a wet landing on this island, jumping out into the surf on a gorgeous white sand beach. We then walked over lava flows around the island, spotting more Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Galapagos Sea Lions kissing, and an American oystercatcher. On the other side of the island there was a cliff down to the water, and right after we got over there, several huge waves hit, spraying up 20ft into the sky. One was bigger than ... read more

San Cristobal Island We flew in to the Galapagos at just about noon today, and headed straight for the boat that would be our home for the next 3 days. Our naturalist guide, Javier, grew up in the Galapagos and knows everything about them. We had a great lunch, and checked out our nice rooms, complete with a windowed side for optimal viewing! Sea Lion Island We landed on a small island here, covered with Sally Lightfoot Crabs. There were Sea Lions everywhere! It was hard not to step on them... they don't move and don't even wake up from their naps when you step right next to them. We saw many Blue Footed Boobies, who nest on the island. They always have two chicks, but spaced several days apart, and its ... read more

Well, what a wonderful few days we have just had, cruising and exploring some of the Galapagos Islands. We sailed on the Coral 1 with 21 other people from various countries. Our days were filled a great balance of activities and relaxation. The morning was spent leisurely hiking for a couple of hours discovering the amazing variety of animal and bird life that inhabits these islands, all living in close proximity to each other and seemingly unconcerned with the tourists as you could get up close and personal for many great photos. Our first sightings were the large land tortoises from which the islands get their name and can live up to 200 years so Lonesome George, who just died was just a youngster! Sea lions were seen lounging on the beach, over rocks further inland ... read more