It was great to see the Galapagos again. They are truly amazing islands! The response I always got when I mentioned I had visited the islands previously was an incredulous “What?” It is the trip of a lifetime for most people and typically costs half a life savings, which is probably why one usually only does it once. Even had we not been able to work the amazing deal we did with Columbus Travel, Galapagos Cruises are at an all time low with the way the current economy is. It is fairly common to find 2×1 offers including airfaire from mainland Ecuador right now. If you ever considered visiting the Galapagos Islands now is the time.
Deeanne and I caught a cab to the Guayaquil airport on Tuesday where we were greated by the friendly staff at Haugan Cruises. From that point on we didn`t have to worry about a thing. Cruising Luxury Class is quite nice; I could get used to it. Deeanne loved the food, I just loved not having to worry about anything, particularly our safety. The Nina is the newest boat in the Galapagos Islands and is beautiful vessel. Our room was half the size of our Quito apartment.
After landing Tuesday on San Cristobal Island we were whisked to the boat with our fellow passengers and then on a brief tour up to the highlands to see some Giant Tortoises. Out of the 16 passenger 2 were from Italy and the rest from The States. It was a genuine pleasure getting to know everyone and not having to speak Spanish for a week. By the time we disembarked at the end of the week we had all exchanged emails and invitations to come visit if we were near each others homes. Antonio and Gabriela had us wanting to visit Italy the day we disembarked.
Wednesday and Thursday we spent exploring two islands I didn´t get a chance to visit last time – Española and Floreana. Española is the oldest island, estimated at 3 million years and home to near the entire world population of nesting Albatross. We arrived during mating season and had the chance to watch their courting dances. It was fascinating. Albatross are among the largest flying birds in the world and mate for life. We got the greatest kick out of watching them try to land and take-off. They are like B-52 Bombers. They have to go a cliff to take off and have runways for landings. We also saw Blue-footed Boobies, Lava Lizards, Marine Iguanas, Flamingos, the famous Galapagos finches, and numerous other birds. I´m not even a birder but I enjoyed the hikes. Floreana has an old pirate and whaling post office at Post Office Bay that is quite cool. We got to drop off mail and as the tradition goes pick up any mail that is near our hometown. You are supposed to hand deliver it although I´m thinking a stamp will do. All mail in Post Office Bay is unstamped as it was in old times.
From Floreana we headed up to Santa Cruz Island and Islas Plaza on Friday and then up to the smaller islands of North Seymour and Bartholomew on Saturday. By now I was used to our three to four daily excursions. The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz has grown a ton in the last ten years since I visited. You can no longer get in the cage with George. Fortunately you can still get close to the other Giant Tortoises. The snorkels had been okay up to this point, but I was looking forward to snorkeling at Pinnacle Rock one of the most famous vistas and the first place you get to snorkel with penguins. Saturday we made it to Bartholomew Island home to Pinnacle Rock. This is one of my favorite spots in the Galapagos. At first I didn´t see any penguins and was a bit worried that too many tourists had scared them off; however, after spotting a white tipped reef shark, numerous fish, and some turtles the penguins finally showed up. Deeanne was excstatic and spent the rest of the time filming and chasing them. They are so fun and so so fast underwater.
Sunday we headed around to Isabela Island the most volcanically active and younget island (it last erupted in April of this year) and then over to Fernandina (also quite young). The Cromwell current upwells here and combined with the Humboldt current brings nutrient rich water to the surface making the sea life amazing. We had the best snorkeling here, were we sighted more Penguines, Flightless Cormorants, really playful Sea Lions, and over twenty Green Sea Turtles.
Monday we headed back around to the islands of Santiago and Rabida before making our way back down to Isla Lobos and San Cristobal to fly home on Tuesday. We saw the cool cactus eating Land Iguanas here, more Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Fur Sea Lions, Frigate birds, and Galapagos Hawks. We saw so much wildlife I can´t even begin to do it justice here, plus it would put you to sleep. We were sad to leave on Tuesday even after two days of rough seas and seasickness. Who know maybe I will go back a third time but not until I at least get in one African Safari.
After flying back to Guayaquil on Tuesday we spent a day and a half with Maximo, Luz, Belen, and Javier before heading to Peru on Thursday.
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