I’m writing today’s blog entry on the Neptune, the powerboat we are taking as we move eastward on a 2.5 hour trip from Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island on Friday afternoon. The boat is bouncing over the waves and it’s a little tricky to type. The transfer to Santa Cruz is the start of the three day return trip home, but there is still much more to see.
After breakfast at the Hotel Sandrita we went sightseeing in the wetlands near Puerto Villamil. At La Playita the path to the beach was filled with marine iguanas …
Playa del Amor offered an incredible view of the Pacific …
We made a brief stop at the Mine Lagoon to see pink flamingos …
And a visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center.
Lunch was at The Oasis Cafeteria …
… and featured an incredible ceviches!
Continuing this update now that we have arrived in Santa Cruz with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the land iguana.
Tomorrow we fly back to Quito in the afternoon.
I got up early and started the day with a walk through the small town of Puerto Villamil here on Isabel Island.
After breakfast at the Hotel Sandrita, we boarded two speedboats and headed to an area called Casa Rosa to see more Galapagos wildlife including this blue footed boobie.
While in Casa Rosa we got back in the water for a close up snorkeling encounter with a giant sea turtle. After a chicken and rice lunch on the boat we returned to Puerto Villamil to transfer to another boat to visit Las Tintoreras and another chance to see the marine iguanas.
Back in Puerto Villamil we watched the sunset from La Choza while enjoying ceviches and cervaza.
Tomorrow we see pink flamingos, visit the Charles Darwin Station, and transfer back to Santa Cruz.
Today we started early thanks to the rooster in the yard across from the hotel that decided 4 a.m. was a good time to get up.
After breakfast at the Hotel Sandrita we took a bus ride to the Sierra Negra Volcano for the 10 mile hike along the second largest volcano caldera in the world. For most of the morning the fog was so thick we could not see the base of the caldera. After lunch the weather cleared and the view improved.
Of course the wet weather made for a muddy hike and muddy shoes …
Our return to the hotel was delayed by a flat tire in the bus. The replacement bus had open sides and made for an entertaining ride as the driver sped back to town.
Dinner at Los Delfines featured Galápagos Prawns – an outstanding local delicacy!
Tomorrow is more snorkeling featuring white tipped sharks, rays, and maybe sea turtles!
A busy day in Galápagoss. We started with a two hour power boat trip across very rolling seas from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Island. Once on Santa Cruz we took a 30 minute boat ride to El Manzanillo to see the Giant Galápagos tortoises …
… And to view lava tunnels – a geologic feature resulting from the volcanic activity that formed the Galápagos.
After lunch at El Chocolate (known for their bananas in chocolate dessert) we were back on the boat again for another two hour ride to transfer to Isabela Island. We checked into the Hotel Sandrita, where it seems the street out front has a fresh layer of volcanic gravel in honor of our arrival. Dinner was Octopus in Garlic Sauce at La Fogata.
Tomorrow we hike to the top of Sierra Negra Volcano.
A busy day in Galápagos. I woke up early to take pictures of the sea lion colony that resides in the port in the center of town.
After breakfast at the hotel we took a boat to Isla Lobos. One the way we saw a variety of birds including frigates and the Blue-Footed Boobie.
At Isla Lobos and Kicker Rock we were in the water for a snorkeling adventure with sea lions, a sea turtle, tropical fish, and several varieties of sharks!
For dinner to took a trip into the highlands of San Cristobal for BBQ steak and chicken at Cafe Caliente de Galapagos. Another early start tomorrow as we transfer by boat to Isabella Island by way of Santa Cruz Island.
Michael S. Liberman