Galapagos II

Tuesday, January 14. Beautiful, clear, temperate with a warm breeze.

You must get tired of hearing how well we sleep. It is worthy of
reporting because it is really needed as the pace that we lead is a bit of an endurance thing. It seems that from wake-up until bedtime it is go, go, go.

OK now, we had a really good sleep in spite of us being on the bottom deck of a ship made in Bremen, Germany in 1964. Breakfast was next in a well stocked buffet, hot and cold, with eggs and omelettes made to order.

Back to our cabins and get ready to load into the zodiacs that hold 14 souls, for the run to the beach where we have a walking tour. We are led by a government guide who speaks that cute English I mentioned.

There are no big animals on the islands so our first sighting was a sand lizard about six inches long. The first of many Kodak Moments today. We graduated to iguanas and other lizards, sea lions, turtles, numerous birds and gorgeous scenery.

It is just like the Hawaiian Islands here, exactly. I was expecting some foreign landscape unlike any we have seen before. Not so. These islands have only been protected for about 50 years. The deserted island we were on today was occupied and there was a salt mine here and residents. The first thing they did after it became a national park was shoot the 100 odd goats grazing here and took down any structures.

Walking on the tour was like walking along the beach-front in Kihei and Wailea, really. At the end of the tour those who had snorkel gear went in and paddled, of course Fellette was among those. I went in and floated, boy was it refreshing.

When we came on board for lunch we were hosed off, even between our toes so no sand could be taken home. Absolutely nothing is to be taken away from the islands and nothing left on the islands. No toilet even.

Lunch went down well then I had a nap, the first in days!!! Fellette read and then it was 3.00 and time for the snorkelers to venture out, I bid a fond adieu to my much younger wife. I did the blog, cleaned the cameras, did my journal and generally had a very relaxing afternoon.

Fellette returned unscathed from the snorkel trip but said that we have been spoiled by the snorkelling in Maui.

Shortly we again left for the zodiac run to shore some 15 minutes away. On the way we snuggled up to some penguins on rocks near shore. Also some blue footed boobies and pelicans. The interesting thing is that we can get so close to them the photography is outstanding.

We then got ashore and went for a spectacular hike up the volcano. It was only about 1200 feet up, all on boardwalk but the stairs were real killers. Great view and I was amazed at the people that persisted and made it to the top.

Black on the. Ship a quick beer, or two, a shower and to the briefing on tomorrow's routine. We then went to a BBQ on deck with the stars and a mild breeze blowing, it was a very nice way to end a very brief visit to the islands.