Carol's Travels

This morning we left the ship at 6:00 A.M. To walk on North Seymour Island. This is the only island where you can find frigate birds all year round. We watched the females deciding which male they wanted to nest with. There were also Blue-Footed Boobies dancing their mating dance. We walked around the island in an hour, then went back to the ship for breakfast.

After breakfast we went to the airport. When Juan checked us in, he found out that our flight had been canceled. We were put on a later flight which was non-stop to Quito. It would arrive only an hour later than the other flight, but we had to wait a long time in the airport at Baltra.

There were two OAT groups that would be on this plane, so the guides arranged an hour bus trip of Baltra. We found out that this island was an American base in World War II. It was used to protect the Panama Canal. The buildings were in ruins. There was a fire a few years ago that destroyed the main building. After the bus tour, we waited outside the airport on a bench where we could feel the ocean breezes.

We had a smooth flight to Quito, and Dephin was there to greet us. The bus trip to the hotel took about an hour and a half to get to our hotel because of the rush hour traffic. Paul and I went out for Italian food across the street . It tasted really good after all that seafood and Ecuadorian food we have eaten on this trip.

. Our cabin #3 on TipTop III

. Riding the panga for the last time to go to the airport

. Our view from the bench outside the airport

. The female frigate has decided that she doesn’t like the male, so she is flying away.

After breakfast we went to San Cristobal Island where there are many Red-Footed Boobies nesting high up in the rocky cliffs. Juan had assured us that we only needed to wear our water shoes for the easy hike. Since it was a wet landing, that is what I wore.

Shortly after we started walking up, it was very obvious that I should have worn my hiking boots. The trail consisted mainly of smooth large rocks. I slowly climbed up with the help of my walking sticks, but when I reached the top, Susan and I decided to stay there and wait for the group to go out and come back. They saw a lot of birds then we all made our way back down to the beach.

After lunch we went snorkeling on what was supposed to be the best snorkeling yet with hammerhead sharks and rays. As it turned out, the water was murky and rough. I saw nothing but a couple of small fish. Paul saw a sea turtle. Some of the others saw a shark and other sea life that Juan had said we would see. Afterward we visited the captain on the bridge.

Later instead of walking on a sandy beach, the group decided they would rather go visit the capital of the Galapagos on San Cristobal Island. We walked around for an hour but found nothing that we wanted to buy. It was fun looking at the town, though.

Ten minutes after we returned, we said good-bye to the Captain and crew. Juan had asked me to talk with Cha-Cha-Cha, so I did. I also talked with the peepers and gave them to Juan. The cook had made a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, sliced tomatoes, mixed fruit, chocolate cake and merlot.  We then went to our rooms and packed.

 Fran hiking up the trail

Red-Footed Boobie

Our captain

Captain Carol for 3 minutes 🙂

During the night we cruised a choppy sea four hours to Espanola Island. I just couldn’t get to sleep until we dropped anchor about 2:15 A.M. We ate breakfast at 6:00 and left for a 2-hour hike at 6:30. We were the only people on the island because we had started two hours earlier than groups on the other four ships anchored here.

We saw nesting Albatross and Nazca Boobies. We saw some newly born sea lions where the placenta was being eaten by some Mockingbirds. We saw a land snake between some rocks. The scenery was beautiful with the black lava rocks touching the water. There was a spectacular blow hole spouting water every few seconds at the shore. It was no fun walking around the island on the large rocks everywhere. Just as we were getting close to the boat landing, three other groups passed us. I am sure we had a much better experience seeing the animals just as they were waking up.

I took the opportunity to rest for a while before lunch. When I went upstairs, Juan and a couple of crew members were chatting. I joined them when Juan wanted more ventriloquism instruction. Next, the cook gave us a surprise demo on how to make ceviche. He chopped up some white fish, tomatoes, red onion, and green pepper. He put the fish in a bowl and covered it with about 1/4 cup lime juice. He added some salt. After setting a few minutes, the lime juice had cooked the fish. Then the other ingredients were mixed in.

We sat down for lunch, and we each had a bowl of ceviche to begin the meal. Then we had cut-up marinated chicken thighs, rice, guacamole, Ecuadorian hot sauce, and a potato-like vegetable cooked like fries. Dessert was something like three cream cake. It is popular in Spanish-speaking countries.

We as a group decided to change the afternoon schedule so the ship could start its 5-hour trip to the next island early during daylight. Most had not slept well last night. Some of us tried kayaking on flat-topped 2-person kayaks. I could not get comfortable and didn’t like it at all. Paul didn’t care whether we continued or turned around, so we went back to the ship. After everyone had had a chance to kayak, we went snorkeling among the sea lion cubs. Now the ship is moving to the next island.

. Placenta

. Blowhole