It's evolution baby!

South America » Ecuador » Galápagos » Puerto Ayora
February 24th 2016

Published: February 25th 2016

The Galapagos Islands, Darwin and evolution are closely connected in most people’s minds. The truth, however, is far more mundane. The breeding of dogs by English dog-breeders and pigeons were what inspired Darwin. The Galapagos and its wildlife on the other hand hardly features in his book, ‘The Origin of Species’. In fact when Darwin came to the Galapagos he was far more interested in its ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 51, Displayed: 21

Puerto Ayora

Land iguana at the Darwin Centre

Puerto Ayora

One of the many endemic finches

Pinzon Island

Playful sea-lion

Pinzon Island

White tipped reef sharks sleeping

Pinzon Island

Rock fish

Pinzon Island

Manta ray

Daphne Island

Juvenile and adult Nazca boobies (the white one is the adult)

Santa Cruz

Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz to Isabela

View of Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz to Isabela

Nearing Isabela

Puerto Villamil

Sea Iguanas on the beach at Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island

Puerto Villamil

Sea iguana and pelican at our beach in Puerto Villamil

Puerto Villamil

A whole bunch of blue-footed boobies

Puerto Villamil

Flamingo a block from our hotel

Puerto Villamil

That birds got legs!

Puerto Villamil

Enjoying a sunset drink on our hotel balcony

Los Tunneles

View of the landscape at Los Tunneles. Photo courtesy of our guide

Los Tunneles

Me getting ready to snap a photo. Photo courtesy of our guide

Los Tunneles

Another blue footed booby

Los Tunneles

Beautiful landscape

Los Tunneles

Penguin... Photo courtesy of our guide

25th February 2016

Rat on the Road
Kris and Kate

Amazing.
As an ex evolutionary biologist, I'm reading this green with envy. It looks amazing and the pictures are fab. Did you do it all land based and would you recommend this? Seems to be much cheaper (although still pricey) than doing a cruise.

26th February 2016

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

Recommendations
Don't book anything in advance, go off-season, shop around. You might get good deals once you arrive, last minute cruises can be super cheap. Do ask what they include. For the outer islands you have no choice but to take a cruise, but there is plenty to see around the three main islands which each can be reached by public boat from Santa Cruz Island (55 dollars return, the return ticket can be used whenever you want to come back, there is not date on it). From either of these islands you will have to take some tours to see certain things, but there is loads you can do without even taking a tour. Outside the pier of Isabela you can snorkel and see plenty of rays, penguins, sharks. Same for around Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, also there are plenty of opportunities to see birds up close without doing a tour, and tortoises and iguanas. For certain birds/sea-life/iguanas, you will have to take tours though. Think in the range of 150 for full day tour, to 85 for half day tours.

25th February 2016

Linn
non-member comment

Amazing
Wow! what an amazing experience. How wonderful to see the animals up close & how lovely that they have no fear. I hope we can go there sometime too!

26th February 2016

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

I hope so too!
I'm sure you will get there one day. Maybe I will join you. I am going to return after all :)

26th February 2016

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Sharks and rays and iguanas--oh my!
That's a take-off on something from the Wizard of Oz which seems appropriate here--you're no longer in Het Nederland. What a wonderful adventure, with so many spottings of amazing animals without taking those outrageously expensive cruises. I'm so happy that you saw so much from your two land-based settings and dives. This had been my dream, and now you've confirmed it. Good to hear that Guayaquil isn't the total pit I'd feared (I adore these sun-facing iguanas)--I'll fly from there too. Thanks for the fab info!

26th February 2016

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

Well, the Galapagos still aren't cheap...
The diving cost 150 dollars for 2 dives, the snorkeling tour cost 140 dollars for a full day and 85 dollars for the half day Isabela snorkeling tour. That does include lunch and equipment. Than there is 100 dollars entry fee to the islands, 20 dollars for something else, and around 10 dollars of other expenses you can't possibly avoid. Cheapest accommodation is around 15 dollars, the public boats between Santa Cruz and Isabela are 55 dollars for the return trip, and a typical meal will be around 10 dollars including a drink. Just to give you an idea. But it is worth it, so do go! And if you have time and don't book anything in advance you might be able to get great deals on cruises as well (we were offered a 5 days cruise for 500 dollars, which is ridiculously cheap, but we had already paid for 3 nights at our hotel). Also come off-season for the best deals and less crowds.

26th February 2016

nancic123
Nanci and David Curry

I have to go....
I always put off the Galapagos to go somewhere else, but I think your pictures and story has to put this back up towards the top of the list. Congratulations to your Mum for persevering (it gets harder as it goes, you'll see). Thanks for taking us along with you!

27th February 2016

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

Yeah, don't put it off too long
Because nothing ever becomes cheaper... And I am very proud of my mum as well :)

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