Day 18 - Arrival in Galapagos
We were picked up at 4.10 from our Quito hotel by Miriam and taken to the airport. At check in our luggage was screened for items that are illegal in Galapagos, like seeds, fruit, certain types of food and mud on our shoes. They also checked our temperature. We then said goodbye to Miriam and went to the gate.
Galapagos is an archipelago of 13 volcanic islands over 10 sqkm, 6 smaller islands and over 100 islets and rocks all existing within the pacific ocean, stretching over a distance of 430 km about 1000 kms from the coast of Ecuador. The total land area is around 8000 sq kms, more than half of which is the island of Isabella, shaped like a seahorse.
We touched down at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands at 9.15 in the morning and as the aircraft was slowing down we saw our first iguana walking along the side of the runway. The airport was very small but efficient and we quickly got through immigration.
We were met by our naturalist guide for the week, Pedro. We first had to take a bus a short distance to where the Panga boats were waiting for us. The Pangas are the landing craft that are used to get us from the boat to our place of activity. They are like an inflatable dingy that can take about 8 people. On the landing station was also another iguana. The Panga’s took us and our hand luggage to the boat. We had a short introductory meeting and safety briefing and then shown to our cabins. None of the cabins have keys and the doors are always open. This is because no unauthorised person can get on or off the boat as the only way we can get from shore to land is by Panga. We had about an hour to unpack before our first activity which was an evacuation drill followed by lunch.
After lunch the boat moved a short distance to anchor just off Mosquera Islet which is made up of coral sand. We were taken by Panga for our first snorkelling session where we saw some very colourful fish. It was the first time I had used my new underwater camera. However we all had difficulty seeing the screen on these cameras because the sun was so bright. I did get some good shots though.
We got back to the boat and just had enough time to dry off before again getting into the Pangas to go for a walking tour on the Islet. There were many Sea Lions on the beaches and many babies were still feeding from their mothers. They took no notice of us at all. We also saw many marine iguanas who were so cute. It did seem like we were in some prehistoric land. There were a lot of land lizards as well and Sally Lightfoot Crabs which come in various sizes depending on their age. A nosey pelican joined us and there were magnificent frigate birds flying overhead.
We returned to the boat and got ready for dinner. We had a daily briefing meeting and also met the captain and crew. Whilst at anchor the boat is swaying about a lot and it is hard to move about.
After dinner the boat set sail for Genovesa Island which is about 6 hours sailing and situated just north of the equator. This is where our activities will take place tomorrow. We very soon moved into some very rough seas and many things in the cabin were falling off surfaces and the coat hangers in the wardrobe where sliding up and down the rail. We went to bed and as we were so tired we were able to sleep through it.
Galapagos is an archipelago of 13 volcanic islands over 10 sqkm, 6 smaller islands and over 100 islets and rocks all existing within the pacific ocean, stretching over a distance of 430 km about 1000 kms from the coast of Ecuador. The total land area is around 8000 sq kms, more than half of which is the island of Isabella, shaped like a seahorse.
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| Our route around the islands |
We touched down at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands at 9.15 in the morning and as the aircraft was slowing down we saw our first iguana walking along the side of the runway. The airport was very small but efficient and we quickly got through immigration.
We were met by our naturalist guide for the week, Pedro. We first had to take a bus a short distance to where the Panga boats were waiting for us. The Pangas are the landing craft that are used to get us from the boat to our place of activity. They are like an inflatable dingy that can take about 8 people. On the landing station was also another iguana. The Panga’s took us and our hand luggage to the boat. We had a short introductory meeting and safety briefing and then shown to our cabins. None of the cabins have keys and the doors are always open. This is because no unauthorised person can get on or off the boat as the only way we can get from shore to land is by Panga. We had about an hour to unpack before our first activity which was an evacuation drill followed by lunch.
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| Sundeck of our boat |
After lunch the boat moved a short distance to anchor just off Mosquera Islet which is made up of coral sand. We were taken by Panga for our first snorkelling session where we saw some very colourful fish. It was the first time I had used my new underwater camera. However we all had difficulty seeing the screen on these cameras because the sun was so bright. I did get some good shots though.
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| Ray |
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| Ray |
We got back to the boat and just had enough time to dry off before again getting into the Pangas to go for a walking tour on the Islet. There were many Sea Lions on the beaches and many babies were still feeding from their mothers. They took no notice of us at all. We also saw many marine iguanas who were so cute. It did seem like we were in some prehistoric land. There were a lot of land lizards as well and Sally Lightfoot Crabs which come in various sizes depending on their age. A nosey pelican joined us and there were magnificent frigate birds flying overhead.
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| Galapagos Sea Lion |
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| Brown Pelican |
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| Marine Iguana |
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| Lava Lizard |
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| Marine Iguana |
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| Lava Lizard |
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| Sally Lightfoot Crabs |
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| Marine Iguana |
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| Marine Iguana |
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| Sally Lightfoot Crab |
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| Scenery on Mosquera Islet |
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| Galapagos Sea Lion |
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| Pangas coming in |
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| Galapagos Sea Lion |
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| Brown Pelican |
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| Beach at Mosquera Islet |
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| Galapagos Sea Lion |
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| Beach at Mosquera Islet |
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| Galapagos Sea Lion |
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| Marine Iguana |
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| Sally Lightfoot Crab |
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| Galapagos Sea Lion |
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| Beach at Mosquera Islet |
We returned to the boat and got ready for dinner. We had a daily briefing meeting and also met the captain and crew. Whilst at anchor the boat is swaying about a lot and it is hard to move about.
After dinner the boat set sail for Genovesa Island which is about 6 hours sailing and situated just north of the equator. This is where our activities will take place tomorrow. We very soon moved into some very rough seas and many things in the cabin were falling off surfaces and the coat hangers in the wardrobe where sliding up and down the rail. We went to bed and as we were so tired we were able to sleep through it.
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