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Published: February 26th 2008
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Hello to all.
We arrived back last night after four nights cruising the Galapagos on the Dawin Yate. Wow, what an amazing experience!! We got to swim with Sea Lions, step over iguanas, walk round boobies and meet 100 year old tortoises!!
We had a few delays in our flights on the way down arriving three hours late, but no real problems. It was straight to the boat where we were greeted by sea lions on the dock. after boarding we had a quick trip to our first stop a lovely beach for a swim and then watch a lovely sunset. May I add that it is much warmer in the galapagos (20-30 degrees) than Quito (10-20). Great way to end a long day. We had a cabin on the foredeck, whilst tiny it was reasonably comfortable.
Day 2
We moved durning the night and woke up at South Plazas Is. Where we went for a walk and saw many sea lions (who would have thought for an animal that spends so much time in the water they could smell sooo bad!), iguanas and sea birds (including blue footed boobies). After the walk we set out for
Sunset
Our first evening on board Sante Fe Island. The ride was a bit rocky and a few of the group including Nick were feeling a bit queasy (thank god for seasick tablets). At Santa FE we first went for a snorkle around a little rock outcrop. We saw heaps of cool fish (the water was so clear), sea turtles and swam with the sea lions. That was great they come up so close and are not afraid at all. Later we went for a walk on the Island were we saw more (different) iguanas, sea lions and birds.
Day 3
During the night we had a reasonably rough ride to Isla Espanola. During the trip one of the lower cabin doors managed to lock itself closed thus locking one of the residents inside. This resulted in an hour and a half long, rocking and rolling effort involving both semi dressed spainish speaking crew and pj wearing mostly english speaking tourists hammering on the door to eventually smash the lock and free the inhabitant. Ahh nothing like a bit of midnight excitement (this happend to two other doors during the trip (fortuneately not ours).
At espanola we spent the morning on a white
Land Iguana
South Plazas Is sand beach with lots of sea lions (perfect photo oportunity for tourists) and snorkeling. The afternoon we went for a walk along the cliffs again seeing many birds, iguanas, sea lions and a sea cave blow hole.
Day 4
This time a realy rough ride during the night (Tiare only managed to get one hours sleep) - in our little cabin we were one minute on the bed the next on the ceiling (kind of like trying to sleep in a tumble dryer).
Floreana Is - we went to the whalers post box on the Island (this is a barrel where whalers used to, now tourists drop off letters for other people to pick up if there destination is the same. We picked up one for Brisbane - only 2 days old (more efficient than Aust Post I reckon). Then around the corner to see some pink flamingos, sea turtles and lie on the beach for a bit.
After lunch we had a snorkle arounf the devils crown (an old sunken volcano crater) where we saw reef sharks (and many other cool things) then it was relaxing on board as the boat headed for the main
Us with the Sea Lions
Us with the Sea Lions on Sante Fe Island of Santa Cruz. We arrived in the evening and went for a few drinks in town before spending our last night on board. Most of the group are continuing on for a nother three nights on board.
Day 5
A quick trip to the Darwin Reasearch station where they have a breading programme for the Giant Tortoises. We saw lots of babies, and quite a few big fellas up to about 100 years old (apparently they can live to about 200yrs. Then it was off to the airport and return to Quito late in the evening.
Overall the trip was fantastic - probably not for one thing specifically but just because everything is different and beautiful and the animals are so unafraid. Though our highlights would have to be the snorkling, the sea lions and the scenery.
We have managed to make on to the other Geckos tour which will take us out to the Amazon, BaƱos and other areas. This starts on Friday, so we are going to spend a couple of days taking it easy and looking around Quito.
Hope you all are well.
Lots of love Nick & Tiare
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jealous much??
Dudes...how good does it all sound! I so much wish i was there..i cracked up about the "one minute on the bed and next on the ceiling" part..although probs not funny when your living it ha ha ha! The animals are beautiful! xxx