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We landed on shore yesterday morning after 4 wonderful days discovering the deserted southern islands of the Galapagos. Well deserted is not completely accurate, a rich abundance of interesting creatures but not alot of humans. Upon arrival we both seemed somewhat surprised at how dry everything seemed but like everywhere even the precious islands of the galapagos cannot escape the
effects of global warming. Expecting lush tropical islands we were greeting with dry aired Barron plains.We were meet by our lovely calm guide sylvia and headed off on one of our first of many trips across in our dingy to the Beluga.Our adopted family for the 4 days were a right mix as always, 3 american couples, a japanese family,a 75 year old japanese lady who was an inspiration to us all, two single girls and a swiss couple. Everything soon became very familiar on board and we quickly got into routine sitting around two 8 dinner tables every couple of hours. We seem to go from one meal to the next with an excursion in between and of course alittle nap time.
Every island, every stop brought it's own magical & unique moments. The first afternoon we had our first encounter with the Booby Birds and Iguana's, everyone in high spirits waiting to spot something new and fascinated with every sighting. It's so funny when you find yourself stopped looking at a seal moving as if it's the first animal you have every seen in your life . Everything takes on some sort of magnified importance but all in the name of travel and discovery of course!
Saturday morning we went a shore for our first 'wet landing' onto Espanola Island. It was such a funny sight to see us all scrambling out of the dingy amidst the waves and sea lions bobbing excitely beside us. We strolled admist the sea lions, observing their every action as they slowly woke up for the the day.Back on board we had some chill time to sit out on deck before lunch and our afternoon excursion admist a much more dramatic background of cliffs and strong tides around the northern half of Espanola. We spotted some Albratos birds, native only to this island and topped
the afternoon off with a hiliarous sight. An american lady pulled a set of Santa Hats out of her handbag for her two children and her husband and they posed happily for next years Christmas Card with tons of Iguanas as the back drop. The tales of the Galapagos will have to continue later as we are being called for our flight... Hasta Luego XX
Banos - Sunday 11th Well I just re read what i had written and realised how many typo's they were! Apologises! I bought a voucher at the airport and I had to run before checking it. The Galpagos already seems ages ago but i think both mum and I are in agreement being back on land makes you appreciate even more the days we spent there. And so the tale continues.
Sunday morning we came a shore to Floreana Island to take a stroll by the flamingo lake. Well the poor flamingos were abit short in numbers but the colours and landscape were different again and we soon came across a beautiful beach. My mum keeps finding feathers and hence the ' thank you ' you saw in the photos. She is convinced that they are messages from above and someone is looking out for her. In the afternoon we moved around west of the island to pay a vist to Post office Bay. In years past Sailors would pick up bundles of letters and carry them back with them to the States. It's tradition now to leave a card and see of you can find anyone that lives close to you. As luck would have it we found a card for a lady in Bandon! how small the world is!
Sayara, the japanese girl travelling with her parents proved to be a constant source of entertainment at the expense of her poor mum most of the time. ' Mum what a stupid thing to say, do you really have to ask that'. well I suppose it was kind of justified after her mum asked one day if the bird could mate in the air!! Priceless. To be fair everywhere we looked there seemed to things 'at it'!! Suz came out one day with 'quick and snappy' just like my ex husband! It certainly lightened the atmosphere and broke the silence as 16 people stood round taking photos of Booby Lovin..
Monday we visit the Charles Darwin research centre on Santa Cruz. They are involved in a program to protect and bred tortoises so as you an see from the photos they are big creatures!! but god do they move slow! For some reason I always associated them with water but in the afternoon we took a trip up to the highlands to open farm project. It was such a strange sight to see them roam around the fields with the cows. They poor females have to make the long trek down to the sea to lay their eggs. ahh well it's typical girls, we get landed with all the tough chores!
Sadly we said goodbye to our group on Monday evening but we got to stay in the beautiful Red Mango Hotel and as luck would have it again we got put in the turquoise room, a perfect end to a wonderful few days on the Galapagos XX
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