Ecuador Galapagos #12

Another day in the Galápagos.  Every day has some similarities but all days are different.  We rode in the panga boats through the mangroves, snorkeled, and a walk.

The boat ride was really really cool!!  We saw boobies ( don't laugh, it is the name of the bird ), spotted rays, 2 types of sea turtles, pelicans, a shark, frigates, sea lions ( of course ) and much much more.  A couple of sea turtles were "getting it on" if you catch my drift. It happens quite slowly, after all, they do call them turtles.... 😜

A few of us braved the choppy water for one last snorkel. That was an adventure ... Visibility was not the best. Our guide spotted a shark, had Janet been there she would have levitated her way right back to the boat.  😃

The last excursion of the day was a walk through the most amazing rookery of blue footed boobies, greater & magnificent frigates, iguanas, and, of course 'cause they are everywhere, sea lions.  

Enjoy some visuals ...

Tomorrow our last full day in the Carina in the Galápagos.  Be sure to read on!

Ecuador Galapagos #11

What a day! We spent much appreciated time on solid ground. Toured the Galápagos capital city, Pueuto Baquerizo Moreno on the island of San Cristobal. Visited the National Park interpretive center where we learned a lot about the islands history. The trick was to stay awake... OAT really keeps you moving to which can be a bit tiring...not to mention the constant motion of the ship. We have had a few nights when it would have been quite helpful to have a seat belt on the bed... Rocking and a rolling. Still working on the penguin walk to traverse from one point to another. Thank goodness for the plentiful handrails....

After our city tour, which took about 30 minutes (including the interpretive center) the next activity was shopping!! Janet and I immediately took off for the wifi cafe and a cold Pilsner for me.  It was really nice to talk to Brenda. She was quite busy with household chores, by her own choice, really, moving all around the room, felt like I was back on board the ship.  Thanks BJ. :D

The afternoon was snorkeling, walk the beach and panga ride (dingy) around a huge hill of a rock. All of which was really really cool. Saw my second sea snake...from a distance... 

Here are today's visual memories ...

Obviously do not know how to turn a pic yet on this iPad... 

Tomorrow more nature and fun!!

Ecuador Galapagos #10

Here is our daily rhythm ... Or pretty close...  Get up, eat, dingy in, hike, dingy back, dingy in, snorkel, dingy back, eat, dingy in snorkel/swim/beach, dingy back, snack, dingy in, hike, dingy back, eat, sleep and repeat....

It truly is beyond words all the life forms we are observing, in all shapes, sizes, geniuses, on and off the ship.... :D.  All kidding aside, we are hiking all around multiple species of iguana, sea lions, birds, insects , plants, reptiles, and for those who are snorkeling, aquatic life. The list is quite long and getting longer each day that we are here. 

Today we saw a shark, masked boobies, blue footed boobies, sea turtles, iguanas, albatrosses, Galapagos hawk, and of course, sea lions -- they are everywhere!

The thrill for me today was swimming with a sea lion. He was quite intrigued with my yellow fins. That was cool along with seeing genuine star fish, an eel and so much more. Sorry, no pics. My camera is not water proof. In the meantime, here are some views of today's discoveries. 

Tomorrow, so much more!

Ecuador Galapagos #9

LThe revelation for the day was, the money spent on a wet suit as opposed to beer has been worth every drop... Or lack there of... :D.  Snorkeling every day or even 2x's a day around the Galápagos Islands !! What is not to like!  The daily schedule is comprised of hikes, snorkeling and sometimes other unusual activities. Today was a goodie!

We explored Floreina island today. The bay we anchored in a bay near beautiful, one brown sand beach.  Enjoying watching and swimming with a number of wild life -- sea lions, flamingos, blue footed boobies, sting rays, sea turtles, pelicans, quite a number of fish and birds and so much more! Saw my first sea snake. 

One of our trips into shore was beach time at Post Office Bay. There is a little barrel which had been dub a post office where people literally from all over the world can leave a post card addressed to themselves. You then are to look through the post cards. If you find one addressed in your city, you are to take it and deliver it to the sender. Fun!

Some visuals of the day:

Tomorrow more of the same but different island. Stay tuned !

Ecuador Galapagos #8

A big yeah for ... "Drugs are your friend!"  The bonine is doing its work. Acclimation, for the most part, to being on this ship is successful.  We have pretty much graduated from movement like a drunken sailer to the ball in a pin ball machine. There is absolutely no way to move anywhere with out Ricocheting to every vertical surface on your way...   Sleeping last night went really well. Although at one point, figured out to wedge your hand on the leeward side of the bed to prevent being rolled off the other. That was a first....

Today began the first of many hikes on the Galápagos Islands. There are dry and wet landings...we are now seasoned vets for both. Our first hike entailed a dry landing and a loop around a portion of the South Plaza Inlet Island. Never seen so many crabs, iguanas, and sea lions in my life. That was so much fun, we went to a bay between two more islands for the afternoon. 

It was SO cool!!! Really cool to snorkel in the Galápagos!! It was super super cool to snorkel with sea turtles, sting rays, and so much more!! Not so cool to be seen in public in a wet suit...

A wet landing and hike at sunset on Santa Fe Island rounded out our day of adventure.  Here are a few visuals:

Much much more adventure tomorrow !!