Cruise - last day; Bahia Tortuga Negra and Puerto Ayora

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The last day of our cruise, so no snorkelling. But we were up early for a 7 am dinghy tour into the mangroves on the north-west coast of Santa Cruz before docking at Balktra just to our north. Bahia Tortuga negra is a range of mangrove swamps populatred by turtles looking for snactuary whilst breeding. We cruised a round for a while but eventually found a little backwater where there were several turtles, then eventually found a mating pair. They were locked together, cruising slowly around the pool, between and around the two pangas. When the sun started to get higher and the heat began to build, the mossies came out - and we'd forgotten to bring the aerogard off the boat. Having said that, they aren't as aggressive as Australian mosquitos, so weren't that much of a problem (although they tend to go fo Naomi more than me). Nonetheless, it was a relief to get back on board.

We motored into the Balta harbour, which was built by the Americans during WWII. This was an important strategic port for them, as it cntrolled the entrance to the Panama Canal. The Amercican airbase built at the time eventally became the airport as it is now: a lovely, open-air terminal with a real tropical feel, although there are plans on display to build a new airport and terminals just like every other airport and terminal in the world - all glass and air-conditioning. Can't stop progress I suppose. The base was dismantled after the war and the local families were all given one of the buildings to demolish and re-construct where they liked. Until the mid 70s, virtually every building on Santa Cruz was made from timber from the base.

A bus took us to Baltra Airport - back there again! This time though, we took the bus to Puerto Ayora for only $1.80 each (compared to $15/$18 for a taxi - did IU tell you that story?). It stopped only a short walk/suiitcase drag to the hotel we had booked before leaving, the Grand Hotel Lobo de Mar. A bit different Mainao, larger rooms but with a very noisy air-conditioner (almost no one uses ceiling fans). But it has a lovely central atrium/pool area adjoining th bar on one side and the restaurant on the other. I didn't get any photos but we are returning there for our last night in the Galapagos so will get some then. Once there, I had to catch up with a few days work having been out of internet range for a while. While I toiled away beside the pool (the wireless only worked downstairs) Naomi went off and booked our fast boat to San Cristobal for the next day.

We had lunch in Cafe Hernan (recommended by Lonely Planet, with good reasons - great hamburgers!) and dinner later that night.

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Photos

Mangroves at Tortuga Negra
A couple of little mangrove islands as we entered the bahia.

Bahia Tortuga Negra
Black Turtle Bay. We cruised through n the pangas into the mangroves and the quiet little corners where we found turtles.

Two turtles mating, Bahia Tortuga Negra
It took us a while to find them, but we foun d a quiet little corner of Black Turtle Bay where these two were cruisg around there little pond, happily engaged.

Inside the Galaven I
Raoul the barman/waiter took our photo while we were waiting to disembark