24th - 27th August 2008: So, after only seven hours away from the airport in Quito we head back there again to catch our flight...to the Galapagos! Needless to say I am very, very excited indeed! Still no news about my missing rucksack but American Airlines promise they will send it out to wherever I am staying, even if that happens to be a ship somewhere in the oceans off the Galapagos! We catch our flight and head to our hotel on Santa Cruz island, which involves getting a little ferry from the airport on Baltra across to Santa Cruz. Already the wildlife is impressive without even trying, and we see sea lions chilling out on the benches by the pier! We arrive at our hotel which is gorgeous beyond words - and way more luxurious than I am used to after months of budget backpacking! We are right by the sea and have pelicans surrounding our pool. I decide I need to get accustomed to my new 5-star surroundings - and what better way than relaxing in a hammock with a pina colada?! We spend the evening exploring Puerto Ayora, wandering around the little shops and eating some very good pizza!

The next day we indulge in more relaxing, reading, sleeping and eating! I spend a fair amount of the day in a hammock. And at last, after I had pretty much given up hope - my bag arrives! A bit (well, alot actually) wet and smelly but here nonetheless. Cart all my clothes off to the laundry. Spend another lovely evening wandering through town, eating more food and catching up with Mum.

On day three we decide it's finally time for some exercise and head off to Tortuga Bay, which is about a 7km walk through cactus forests. The scenery is beautiful, and we spot lizards and many finches on our way through the cacti. Reach the beach in record speed, as I have forgotten that I don't need to walk at what Mum calls 'Turtle Patrol Pace' anymore - and Mum has to tell me to slow down! The beach is absolutely stunning, soft white sand and beautiful (but cold!) clear blue water. Walk along the beach to a bay where it is safe to swim. On the way we get very excited when we spot our first real, live, marine iguana! I insist on stopping and taking its picture, before we walk a little further and find even more of them! Again take more photos before rounding a bend in the path and being confronted by at least 60 of the little beasties, all piled across the path and basking in the sun! I think the memory card on my camera will soon fill up.... On the way to the bay we also spot our first Blue Footed Boobie, a momentous occasion. Mum swims and I eventually decide to brave the water and join her - turns out to be lovely and refreshing after the hot sun on our walk there. Potter back to the hotel (with me trying to walk ata normal pace!) before heading out for supper.

Day four on Santa Cruz is baking hot so I again relax in a hammock before being requisitioned to act as an extra for a Spanish TV documentary! All I have to do is walk to reception and ask for my key so it's hardly a chore but I get a free drink for my trouble (and excellent acting ability right?). Re-pack my now clean clothes into my rucksack (and take upmost of Mum's suitcase again!) ready to catch our cruise ship tomorrow. Head out in the evening and introduce Mum to Caipirina cocktails - yum! It's been so lovely to have some time relaxing and catching up with Mum but am looking forward to ten more days together exploring and seeing lots more wildlife!