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I have just experienced an amazing eight days, island hopping around the world of Galapagos! It is another world, and what a wonderful world it is.
After arriving in Baltra, myself and 8 other passengers were met by the tiny, yet gorgeous Edwin. Edwin is a freelance naturalist guide and was the guide we would have on board the Galapagos Adventurer II, the "ship" we were soon to board. After a brief bus ride to the dock, we were greeted by our ship´s dingy and three very relaxed sea lions, lazing about in the sun slothed out on a couple of benches. We were off to a good start with our wildlife spotting!
I was surprisingly impressed with our ship. It was all very civilised. The crew formally greeted us over a cocktail, there was a lovely dining area, comfortable lounge area, clean and simple cabins with bathroom. Although tiny, they served their purpose. Bar up on deck along with tables, chairs and sun beds. And a great bunch of people which is always a bonus! Everyone seemed to click pretty quickly and we all got on extremely well given for the most part it was just us, the crew and Edwin for the following days. I shared a cabin with the lovely Jade, another Aussie girl from Melbourne. Thankfully we got on pretty well given our close living quarters!
Anyhow, from day one our day´s pretty much went like this;
- Wake up call at 6.30am via the delighful ringing of a bell. Yes, that is right...a bell and at 6.30am! Hmmmm....as some of you know, I am not really a morning person at the best of times so this did take more than a little getting used to!
- 7.00am, breakfast. Huge breakfast with everything from cereals, continental style bits and pieces, pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, fresh juices, coffee, tea etc. The list goes on...
- 7.30am, jump in our little dingy and venture out to explore a new island. Walk along all types of terrain checking out the local wildlife which varied from island to island.
- Approx 10.30, 11.00am, back on the ship greeted by crew member with snacks and drinks.
- 12.00pm, lunch. 2 to 3 courses. Different everyday and always delicious and surprisingly healthy.
- 2.30pm, off for some snorkelling or another walk. Many days both. On average we had a morning and afternoon walk and snorkel.
- 5.00pm, back on boat. More snacks and drinks.
- 6.30pm, briefing on the next days island visit, potential wildlife spotting etc.
- 7.00pm, 2 to 3 course dinner. Different everyday, healthy and fabulous. The lobster was the definate highlight of the week!
- 8.30pm, bed. Yes you heard right. All nights bar 2 I was in bed before 9pm as were most passengers. Action filled days, salt water and sunshine are very exhausting!
Now the wildlife...Just extraordinary, as was the scenery. I think I saw just about as much as I could possibly be lucky enough to see in our new little world? Sea lions almost everywhere we went, many with their pups which are just adorable. There were land and marine iguana´s, giant tortoises at both the Darwin Research Centre and in the wild, albatros, frigates, lava lizards, sea turtles, stingrays, mantarays, dolphins, whales, white and black tip sharks, loads of bright coloured fish in all shapes and sizes, all other kinds of marine and birdlife, pink flamingos, penguins and of course the blue footed boobies! Given their name, you see all types of weird and wonderful suveneirs and t-shirts on the mainland referencing these blue footed birds...the boobie jokes did wear a little thin after a while I have to say.
However, I digress...to be out snorkelling and have a 6ft long, white tip shark zip right under you, or a 250kg dominant bull (male sea lion) swim right by you, so close you almost feel him brush against your skin. Or maybe the sea turtle that casually swims by without a worry in the world, or the playful sea lions frolicking about so close you could reach out and touch them...all this and more leaving you on a constant high, day in, day out. And the simple things which have you looking on in amazement. Like a sea lion who has literally just given birth to a pup. I´m talking so recent, the fresh placenta is still nearby untouched. Or a marine iguana parade! An array of red and green coming from every direction, passing right by your feet as they head to the water for feeding time. Nature really is a wonderful thing.
As for the islands themselves, one minute your on a white sandy beach, the next red sand and covered in cactus, or black volcanic rock, maybe even lush and green just for something different...you name it, we saw it.
The Galapagos wonderland. Truly a wonderful little world to experience!
