Feeling like we had a lay-in with the alarm going off at 6:30 we put on our clothes and waited in reception. Half an hour later the transfer arrived to take us to Ballestas Islands and with our bums touching the seats we instantly fell asleep for the hour long ride.
A breakfast of Doritos and a local cake, then we jumped on the boat to take us round the tour of the islands. The sun suddenly emerged through the clouds as we set off and with the aqua sea being as clear as day, it seemed another good day, although still slightly too nippy to take our jumpers off.
Have bounced off every way and a checkpoint to see an ancient drawing in the sand we started our tour.
Seeing an abundance of birds, our initial look at the island only had sea gulls to offer. Yet as the boat meandered through the route more animals emerged. With two groups of penguins camouflaged on the rocks, it suddenly made you question how they had not been spotted immediately.
As the boat was manoeuvred, sea lions we next to appear, lazing upon a rock, and every other rock possible from that point. Questioning how such an ugly creature could make itself look so cure was no easy feat, but we did have a soft spot for them. Also seeing bright red crabs on the side of the cliffs and so many birds that they actually made a corner of the island look a different colour. It had been described as a poor mans Galápagos Islands, and fitted the criteria perfectly, although well worth doing it was not half as exotic as we imagine the Galápagos Islands would be.
Being given a little break we sat on a wall next to the beach to watch gulls dive into the water catching fish and basked in the sun before heading back.
Continuing to sunbath after lunch we sat on the edge of the oasis with our feet and hands in the sand again getting covered, which was lucky as these were the clothes intended to wear on the bus.
Getting ready and with an incompetent taxi driver we finally arrived at the right bus stop. The station was pretty grimy and it soon became clear that the bus was going to be late. A game of cards with our Israeli friend and an hour passed before we eventually got on our bus with worlds loudest snorer. Using tissue paper for earplugs we both reclined our chairs and tried to sleep.