Galapagos Islands

 After years of discussion and dreaming and another year of planning, we're finally on our way to see some of the places we've always wanted to go to. After flying from Toronto through Miami, we've arrived in Quito, Ecuador. We've got a couple of days here so we went to see the old town which was built by the Spanish hundreds of years ago. Most of the old buildings were built using stones from the original Inca temples.

The first glitch of the trip was my suitcase failed to arrive. After 2 days, I needed some clothes and I badly needed a shave. I've always used an electric razor but just bought a safety razor as temporary. I found out quickly that I better stick to electric. I got shaved but needed a few pieces of toilet paper to repair the damage. I was sure happy to see my bag show up.

 Off to the Galapagos Islands for the first part of our dream trip. Below is the airport. It used to be an American airstrip during the second world war and doesn't look like its been repaired since. 

After safely landing, we were bused to the only town on the Galapagos to join our cruise. We took a Zodiac out to our ship. The Galapagos Islands consist of about 20 islands but we'll only be visiting about 8 of the more important ones. Each island is unique and most of the animals that live on each island is unique to that island.

 On Santa Cruz Island, the only island with a town, is the Charles Darwin research centre. In case you were wondering where you'd heard about the Galapagos before, you know, Darwins theory of evolution "Origin of Species" was developed from his research in the Galapagos. I am here to educate. Anyway, this "Lonesome George" is the last living turtle from one of the islands. When he dies that species will be gone forever. He's 160 years old and has had female company for 36 years but the two species can't reproduce.

 This is a Sally Lightfoot crab. Unique to the Galapagos and very colorful. Its about the size of an open hand.

On our first days exploring, we get to see lots of wildlife. They have no natural predators here and aren't afraid of man. Lots of times the trails are blocked by sea lions, Iguanas or birds and we have to go around them.

 At this time of year, the sea lions are giving birth. This baby was born the night before we arrived. We saw lots of newborns; blood and afterbirth showed new births. 

 Hiking on the islands required concentration, firstly because the trails were rough and rocky and secondly it would be easy to step on a creature because they lay right in the trail and don't move.

 All of the islands were different. This one was very rocky with lots of lava. Some were mostly sand.

 This is a Blue Footed Boobie, one of the iconic birds of the Galapagos. The nest is right on the path; notice the person walking by and the birds don't even look up. There were chicks from newborn to this size along the path.

The Albatross uses this island as a rookery as well. Lots of comings and goings as feed is brought back to the nests.

 We get to go to at least 2 islands every day. After we come back from an excursion, the yatch weighs anchor and sails to the next island while we have lunch or relax on the upper deck.

 On one of the islands is the nesting area for the Frigate bird. The males puff up a red air sack on their neck to attract females. The males sit on low bushes and when a female flies by all the red necks puff up. Kinda like a western bar.

 We had two kind of shore landings. Either at a dock or rocks or like this, a wet landing where you clamber over the side of the zodiac and try not to fall in.

 This island had a beautiful sandy beach with lots of sea lions. We went snorkeling out to the island and saw lots of fish and sea turtles.

On Santa Maria island, a barrel was set up in 1793 so sailors could leave letters for home and if someone from that area saw his letter they would deliver it when they got home. Its still happening and we left a couple and found one from Kitchener which we'll deliver when we get home.

Its been a great trip. Hiking, snorkeling, eating great meals and relaxing. This was a lot of fun and very educational. Now its time to go on to our next adventure.