Landed in Baltra this morning, all on schedule. First official action was to confiscate my passport (for those who know my Greyhound story in Boston 25 years ago, this doesn't really bother me). I needed to pay a $100 entry fee, cash only, and no ATMs. I only had $90 because I bought some elderly Aussies water and didn't realize I was pushing the wallet below $100.

Anyways, I got here just fine, and now I don't have to worry about loosing my passport, so all's well. It turned out to be an overcast day, and again I find not many people speak English. Our first animal encounter was on the ferry from the airport. A blue heron was more interested in being inside the boat with us than in exerting energy flying across the (.1 mile) channel. The captain got him off, though, probably because he didn't have 80 cents for the fair.

We saw a couple of tortoises on the drive over. Man, those fellows are HUGE! When I got to the Fernandina hotel, I walked around town (Puerto Ayora) and walked up to the water where I took the above picture. The iguanas blend in so well, that at first I just saw the little crabbies. And plenty of pelicans around, too. You can simply (but shouldn't) reach out and touch them.

Tomorrow I hope to be diving. I got fitted into my equipment today. Still a little congested at times, so we'll see how I feel tomorrow. Lots of water, plenty for rest, no wheat and dairy to slow mucus production, and hopefully things will be better.