EC Amazon & Galapagos Day 8

Day 08 - Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - Galápagos Cruise to Española

The Tip Top III left Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz at about midnight and we sailed over some very rough seas to the Island of Española. Finally we entered the protection of the bay at 6:00 AM and the seas calmed.

The alarm went off at 6:30 and we looked out to gray skies and a light mist or garua. There were four other small yachts anchored in the harbor, but the government strictly regulates the number of tourists in the islands so we were lucky to be somewhat isolated.

After showering and eating our breakfast, we met Danny on the upper deck to pick out our snorkel gear for our excursion to Española today. I went out to take a weather reading, it was 72º, 91% humidity, and 15 mph winds.

We all boarded the two pangas to go ashore at Gardner Boy’s Bay. It was a wet landing meaning that the panga could only get us to a few feet of the white sandy beach. We hopped off into the water and then waded ashore.

Sea lions greeted us by the hundreds as we made our landing. November and December are the months when the new babies are born and we were thrilled to see the family lounging together in the sun.

Danny gave us time to walk along the beach and gave us an incredible amount of information about Española Island. Gennie and I snorkeled but even though the water was clear, there were no fish that we could see. An inquisitive sea lion would occasionally swim by.

A few of the people went back to the Tip Top III, several people stayed on the beach, but Chuck, Colleen, Gennie and I went out on a panga with Danny to Turtle Island for a deep water snorkel excursion.

We saw hundreds of varieties of fish, blue star fish, black and orange sea stars, a large sting ray, and several schools of small fish. We stayed out until about 11:30 and then returned to take a shower.

At 3 PM we motored to the other side of the island to Punta Suarez. This time it was a dry landing with hiking boots, walking sticks, hats, sunscreen, and of course our cameras and binoculars.

The walk in this part of the island took about 3 hours. It was very pleasant at 77º, 79% humidity, and a light breeze. As we walked along the pier the marine iguanas were basking in the sun. The large males are turning a dark red and green color; a sign that the breeding season is beginning.

The trail was very primitive as there were only large jagged boulders and posts to mark the way. We had to watch where we stepped, as there were iguanas, seals, or birds on the path totally ignoring us.

Some of the many animals we saw were blue footed boobies, albatross, red-billed tropic bird, marine iguanas, sea lions, lava rock lizards, nazca boobies, mockingbirds, frigate birds, American oystercatcher, gulls, and a huge Galapagos hawk.

As the sun was setting over the Pacific, we headed back to the ship, hot, tired, and sunburned, but ready to do it all over again tomorrow.

Dinner was at 7 PM and we ate with Al and Winnie from Chicago. It was interesting to know their impressions of Barack Obama from their home city.

After dinner Danny presented a brief slide show and a preview of tomorrow’s activities. He is a graduate of the elite certification program conducted at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Isla Santa Cruz by the Galápagos National Park Service.

The group dispersed about 8:30 and we stayed in the dining room to finish writing the journal and sorting the 350 photos we had taken today.

Accommodations: Galápagos Tip Top III Small Ship - - - Meal: B, L, D

If you wish to travel with OAT Click Here.

To receive $50 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062

Great pictures. Interesting trip. Better you than me. I am seeing it through your experiences. Thank you.

Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Previous Next

Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.

The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.

Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...

Continue Reading Day 13