http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from South America , Ecuador , Galápagos en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:23:10 +0000 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:23:10 +0000 We had to wake up quite early this morning so we could have a tour of North Seymour before the group got dropped off at the airport. We took the dinghy to shore right in time to chill out and watch the sunrise. The island was quite lively because unlike the other islands it was mating season for the blue footed boobies. It was amazing to watch them prance around showing off their blue feet in a c http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/blog-463353.html There is nothing I enjoy more on a Monday night than Jenga and a Pilsener. This night in particular was very special. As we moved on from Pilseners to margaritas we changed the game from Jenga to Ultimate Jenga. Once the tower falls you must rebuild it in the most creative way possible. One margarita later it was every man for himself and we each built our own towers. One more margarita has u http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/San-Cristobal-Island/blog-460503.html Islas de Galapagos Isla Santiago17101990.Braving the cold crisp air of early morning I peek out of the porthole a silver line at the horizon and growing fast in intensity promises me another clear day with great vistas and a sunny waether though the draft of cold air trying hard to invade the warmth under my moth eaten blanket is trying hard to convince me otherwise.Life on a small boat that http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-458762.html And we arrive in Fernandina the most volcanic of the islands Volcanoes are more active than ever in this island. Here you can observe marin iguanas swimming and gathering in groups as well as sea lions playing in the shoresIn the evening we crossed the Equator from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere heading to explore new Galapagos islands. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Fernandina-Island/blog-457267.html Islas De Galapagos Isla Santiago16101990.Curious prehistoriclooking reptiles eye us approaching us easily and unafraid while we disembark from our dingy shoes in hands since we invade this animal kingdom by a socalled wed landing. Slowly they shuffle closer over the black lava bed with its eroded shapes and small pools that house blackcolored crabs perfect camouflage in this volcanic la http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-457173.html We were up at 530am for our boat ride back at 6am. This boat was a bit bigger but still packed to the gills with people...even little kids sleeping on the floor of the boat I was in the back corner of the boat so the minimal up and down wave action so I prob wouldnt get sick...we also took some sea sickness pills around 530...so I think well be good. We also met a couple people from Calgary http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santa-Cruz-Island/blog-455707.html Woke up at 7am for breakfast at 730. I opened my eyes to my mom eating the chips ahoy chocolate chip cookies I had been saving for an emergency most likely for lunch today since the Russians we met last night said the sandwiches were tuna and vegetable...gross. I was like WHY ARE YOU EATING THE COOKIES IVE BEEN SAVING Because Im hungry and wanted a snack was her reply...I was not a ha http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Isabela-Island/blog-455602.html Islas De Galapagos Isla San Cristobl Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 14101990.A small eatery on Puerto Baquerizo Moreno's quay with the fitting name Comedor Comida Rica tasty food in the local lingo is a perfect place for a meal and getting to know our new passengers a spanish couple in their early forties while we wait for the crew to load supplies.It takes but a few hundert human steps to http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/San-Cristobal-Island/blog-454164.html Charles Darwin is the famous philosopher who is most commonly known for discovering the pristine and enchanting beauty of the Galapagos Islands. The first island that Charles Darwin discovered was San Cristobal the one I am currently living on. He originally spent only 2 weeks on the Galapagos Islands and spent the next 25 years working on his book called ldquoThe Origin of Speciesrdquo. Th http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/San-Cristobal-Island/blog-453938.html The Galapagos Islands are located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. They are the home to many unique and exotic animals. We could not wait to explore the different islands of the GalapagosSAN CRISTOBAL ISLANDWe arrived at the airport in San Cristobal late in the morning. After collecting our things we had to take a small zodiac boat to get to our cru http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/blog-452782.html First hourAmazing The Galapagos have not disappointed us and wersquove only been here 1 day Our flight in was spectacular over the lunar arid landscape of Isla Baltra. Within 5 minutes of being in our room which by the way has a balcony which overlooks the sea we spotted sea lions on the jetty thousands of huge red crabs marine iguanas other iguanas other crabs countless types of b http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santa-Cruz-Island/blog-452101.html Landing on the Galapagos Islands for the first time is something that will stick in my memory forever. Maybe it was the tikihut airport or maybe it was the sea lions lounging on a nearby beach but something made this place very special. I was greeted by Nelly and her 4 energetic children Roberto 16 Analia 14 Ivan 11 and Andre 8. It was evident that this town was very small and it wa http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/San-Cristobal-Island/blog-451436.html Update from the land of giant tortoises We went on a search this weekend for a cheap tour for the week after our last work week at the reserve which is our last week in Galpagos. We didnt have much luck in the port of San Cristobal so we decided to take a ferry over to the bigger town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. We got here this morning and within one hour of being here we found a tour fo http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santa-Cruz-Island/blog-450013.html For the newbies 1st part English scroll down for GermanOff to the Galapagos Islands Animal ParadiseFrom Lima we were off to the north of Peru to stop in the hiking Mecca of Huaraz. When we got to the bus station to catch a night bus to Huaraz we ran into Flavia a Swiss girl who wed already met in the sand dunes in Huacachina when we went sandboarding. Thats so typical for the Gringo Trail. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/blog-449744.html We just finished our second week of work at the reserve...the time is flying by This week included a lot of machete work clearing some land for the organic garden. Other than that we did some seed planting watering and a trip to the Interpretation Center where we read all about the history of the Galpagos.During the week we had the chance to go on a authentic Galapaganian pig hunt We ventur http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/San-Cristobal-Island/blog-449696.html H Hello Galapagos what a very pretty place you are Barren islands sprouting Cacti white sand beaches muddy wetlands... and the guidebook is right incredibly fearless wildlife. Landing at the makeshift openair airport we realised this was really a trip of a lifetime.We found our guide who was calling out the name of our little boat Rumba Rumba. It was indeed little the smallest boat in http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/blog-448742.html Hello from the GalpagosA beautiful place The weather has been amazing We heard it cleared up right when we got here...it was rainy and moist everyday until we arrived. Now its been sunny and warmThe reserve is located about 45 minutes away from the main town Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. Everyone at the reserve has been very friendly especially the volunteer coordinator http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/San-Cristobal-Island/blog-447834.html Another long day today. Left the hotel at 745 treked to the pier then panga to the yacht. Hour and a half cruise to South Plaza Island. Sea was a bit calmer today but it was cloudy all day. South Plaza Island is covered with this red plant that put me in mind of the red weed from H.G. WellsWar of the Worlds. It is also home to a colony of sealions right on the pier and when we were comin http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santa-Cruz-Island/blog-447625.html Today we visited Santa Fe Island. Left the hotel at 745 for the walk to the pier. Small boat called panga from the pier to the Sea Finch Yacht. Very nice yacht 2 levels. The main level has cushioned seats and tables. The top is open to the air in the back and covered in the front and also has cushioned seats. On the bow of the yacht is a nice long cushioned bench and some chaise lounge l http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santa-Fe-Island/blog-447358.html Islas De Galapagoas Isla Hispaola11101990.I spit out a big blob of red colored pleghm the taste of metalic blood foremost in my mouth while my body is trembling big spasms of muscle cramps rippling through my shivering body. I am covered with the red earth I am lying on my pinkish flesh shining through the rivers left on my skin by heavily perspiring pores...I am learning a lesson here and http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Espanola-Island/blog-446990.html