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Published: September 10th 2005
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Hey, back from the Galapagos Islands and we must say it was the best trip we´ve had so far. We hadn´t done much previous research on the islands since we didn´t decide to go until a few days before we left...it was the best impulse buy ever.
We were on a 14 passenger boat called the Beluga, which toured most of the islands for eight days straight. Nick thinks he´s just about to get his sea legs any time now, while Sarah keeps complaining that the land is rocking. Two things we didn´t think about before we left: that the islands would be volcanic and desolate despite the wealth of fauna, and that we would be on a boat that was rocking 80% of the time....oh well, nothing a little gravol and booze couldn´t cure. (Psst...don´t combine the two)
Our English-speaking tour guide was named Sylvia, our bartender George, and one of the crew Richard (Sarah felt right at home....we guess it is true, you JUST CAN´T GET AWAY FROM THE MELVILLES). The guide was fantastic, the crew a great bunch of guys and the food spectacular (let´s put it this way--we´re not going to weigh ourselves at the
Galapagos sea lion
These guys were great fun, and everywhere on the islands. Barks leave something to be desired. moment). We also had a fantastic time with the other passengers, a total of 7 Brits, 4 Americans and 2 New Zealanders. We´re pretty sure we left them all in awe of the Canadian culture, taught them a few new phrases and learned a tiny bit from them as well. Expect to see a folded boot soon on the blog (don´t ask, just accept the boot - MJ don´t ask Nick to fold napkins at your next dinner party).
Now, onto the islands themselves...again, the desolation surprised us considering the number of species living together on each island. As an example, on the first island (Española), sea lions, blue-footed boobies, lava lizards, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, finches, the yellow warbler and frigate birds all interacted successfully, each occupying its own niche in the environment (although frigate birds just steal from everyone else....buggers). Yet each island´s vegetation was minimal, concentrated usually around the coast, and consisting of shrubs and small trees. Volcanic rock was strewn about everywhere, the soils usually a reddish-brown or black. It was amazing how unafraid the animals were of humans- it was we who had to keep our distance from them so as not to disturb their
Blue-footed Booby
Boy do we love boobies. I mean REALLY love them. Not joking. lives.
Favourite days of the trip were "the day of the turtle" and "equator day". On the day of the turtle, we visited the giant tortoise habitat on Santa Cruz island in the morning, then went for a snorkel in the afternoon amongst sea turtles. One of the sea turtles seemed completely unfazed by the odd-looking, white-skinned animals with fins and tubes, and swam all around us. Such graceful creatures in the water, slow moving yet with the tiniest movement of a fin (or flipper) able to negotiate the waters. Watching him (or her) we completely forgot about the cold waters we snorkeled in (colder for Sarah who didn´t rent a wet suit - the Brits thought Nick was a "wuss"...Nick translates that into "smart"). That afternoon we also took a dinghy ride into the mangroves on the edge of one of the islands to watch more sea turtles with beautiful shells swimming in the calm shallow waters. Amazing!
Equator day, just in case you couldn´t figure it out, was the day we sailed across the equator. In the morning, we took another dinghy ride to spot white-tipped reef sharks as well as manta rays (golden and eagle
Sarah.....
QUIT TOUCHING THE ANIMALS! (Don´t worry, it was an empty shell--the little fellow had moved on to a new condo) rays). In the afternoon we got extremely lucky in that we spotted a (sperm?) whale breaching, tail and all just in front of our boat on the starboard side, as well as a huge pod of dolphins, possibly 40-50, swimming, jumping and playing together nearby.
We were sad to leave the Beluga and the folks on it, but it had to end sometime. We´re now back in Quito and adjusting to big city life again, and now preparing ourselves for Fiji on the 15th. Nick shaved because his little sister told him to, and also in preparation for flying to Fiji via the States.
A very happy belated birthday to Sarah´s stepbrother Tobin, and cousin Jeff (hope the party was a blast). We´re looking for a good sturdy cane for both of you.
A very happy congratulations to Sarah´s cousin Karen on her wedding in Britain. Hope the tea was up to snuff (you just never know in Britain). We´re looking forward to visiting you if you have the time next spring.
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Andrea & Eric
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blue-footed boobies
The blue-footed boobies are nice but that sea lion is sure cute! :) It all looks awesome! Have a safe flight to Fiji and have a wonderful 1st anniversary while you're there!