Galapagos Islands - Day 1

We left Quito in the morning and headed to the airport to fly to Baltra Island. It was late departing as they had put 3 flights together and we needed to stop in Guayaquil. They announced that everyone going to Galapagos stay on the plane so we did but then they started checking boarding passes and told us we needed to change planes, so we did. There was 3 of us on this Intrepid tour but we thought that people who booked separately from Intrepid would be on the boat. We landed at our Island, through control where we paid our $100 National Park entrance and met by our Intrepid guide and naturalist guide. We found out that for the first few days the 3 of us would have the boat to ourselves.

So in a bus to the dock where we boarded a zodiac to our beautiful catamaran Archipel 1. You enter the boat into the dining room and there is a bar and lounge area and our rooms are on the outside of the boat all on the one level, above sea level with windows. On the upper deck are sun chairs for our siestas. It is beautiful. We were served lunch while we set sail to Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island. We were transferred by zodiac to shore for a wet landing and went for a small walk where we saw our first Marine Iguanas, Greater Flamingos and Sally Lightfoot crabs amongst other birds. Also saw some Sea Turtles in the water. Able to go for a snorkel and appreciate the underwater beauty.

Back on board for lovely hot showers with great pressure and we had our briefing for the next day before dinner and then setting sail for Genovesa Island. It was about 5hrs of sailing and I managed not to be sick. I sat outside for a while till I was too cold and then hung around in the lounge, dozing on and off until we anchored because I felt more stable there.

Day 2 - Genovesa Island

Breakfast at 7am and then transferred to Prince Phillip Steps for a dry landing. On the steps up, there was a Galapagos Fur Sea lion who had obviously been attacked by a shark recently. We stepped over him and then went for a walk. This island has no reptiles, purely seabirds. We saw our first Red-footed Bobbies (grey), Nazca (or masked) Boobies and Frigate birds.

Back to the boat to change and then onto the zodiac to do some deep water snorkelling along the cliffs. Amazing fishes and we saw White Tipped Reef Sharks. Back on board and the guys (there are 8 crew so we are spoilt) decided it was time to jump off the boat. The 2nd level was too high for me but I jumped off the front off the catamaran. We then would swim back underneath the boat to the back of the boat.

After lunch and a siesta, we went back to shore to Darwins Bay for a wet landing and went for a walk where we spotted Red Footed Boobies (white), many immature frigate birds waiting for their parents to come and feed them, the remains of the Spondylus (the boat we were meant to be on till it sunk), and Eagle Rays in the water. Also Sea Lions on shore.

We had an earlier briefing and dinner and set sail. It was not pleasant. I spent a few hours at the back of the boat and my dinner ended in the sea. When it calmed a little I went inside to my favourite couch and slept on and off till we anchored in calm waters at midnight. Glad to get to bed.

Day 3 - Bartolome Island & Santiago Island

Early wake up call and a dry landing to walk up 365 steps to the top of this volcanic island (Bartolome) which has many lava bombs and other remnants of its history. We could see Sea Lions in the water and Marine Iguanas. So much history. Beautiful views over the island and also the neighbouring island Santiago.

Back on board for breakfast before back on the zodiac to go looking for Galapagos Penguins and then on shore to do some snorkelling. Best yet. We were watching penguins zoom underneath us and then we came across Sea Lions aswell. Just amazing, they are so not afraid of us. The beautiful beaches of white sand, this is paradise.

Lunch and another siesta before going ashore to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island where we walked across the solidified lava sheets from an explosion in the late 1800's. Black everywhere and quite hot. A couple of the guys from the crew also came ashore, something they can do since there are so few of us. Back on board and time to jump off the boat again to cool down before we set sail. At first it was OK, but then the sickness hit again. So back to the back of the boat for a few hours and then 'my' white couch. We anchored at Santa Cruz about 6pm and it was time for dinner but no way could I eat. I went and had a shower and emptied my stomach in the toilet this time.

We were able to disembark at 8pm to come ashore to Puerto Ayora, the main town of all the islands. However, everything still seemed to be moving and it took a couple of hours to feel better, just in time to go back to the boat in fact. At least we didn't have any more sailing and could go straight to bed.