Where in the world?

After a lumpy night we headed to Santiago island and Sullivan Bay where we went fora a walk over the lava flow an eruption 70 years ago. It was pretty weird and looked like a badly iced cake!! The landscape was very barren with few trees or greenery. Quite bizarre!

Me,Krin and Lee Ann on Santiago Island

Very green!!!

After our walk we got kitted up and headed for some snorkelling. As soon as I dropped into the water I spotted a white-tip reef shark........and then another, what a bonus. I heard the others shouting so popped my head to see a small black object heading at me on the surface of the water and then realised it was a penguin!! Later we saw a huge sting ray and loads of schooling fish and the requisite feeding razor surgeonfish, bumpheads and parrotfish. i spooted another moray but the others were too far away and I couldn't be bothered shouting to them. After lunch we did some more snorkelling but not as much life as the morning swim. The best art wa sitting on the beach watching the boobies diving for fish right next to the snorkellers. it was hilarious, with much squealing and choking going on!!!!
After a quick shower we headed up Bartholomew Island for the sunset and some great views. Sunset here happens so quickly. If you literally blink you can miss it.

View from Bartholomew Island

The end of the cruise and we pack our things. I could have booked a longer trip but funds are tight and so am I!!
We left the boat on San Cristobal island and me and the girls found a cheap room, but it was nearest the balcony and had sea views. We didn't waste any time and by lunchtime we were heading off for some more snorkelling.Firstly headed to Playa de los Tijeretas, a bit of a hike but well worth it. A beautiful clear bay but no beach as it was all rocky. Loads of sealions on the rocks and seemed to be taking it in turns to come in and check us out. Some of the larger males were a little scary. Spotted a shoal of razor fish then a large gren blob which turned out to be a turtle, FAB. Next beach was Caba los hornos where sealions were sunning thenselves and loads of turtles kept popping up to take breaths. The water was pretty rough so we just watched from the shore.
The girls were flying out the next day so we had a fairwell dinner and met Steve from Canada and Jonny from Hawaii who I arranged to go snorkelling with the next day.
Steve had been desperate to go to Kicker rock but couldn't get on a trip so organised one himself. Must say it wasn't that hot and it was expensive. we'd have been better sorting out the boat ourselves instead of going through dive shop. Tip for next time! we thought we spotted a shark but the water was cloudy and too deep to see very well.
On the way back we stoped at Isla lobos and played with the sealions, they were great fun and pulled me along on a piece of rope

Sealions at Isla Lobos

I spent the next 3 days on San Cristobal before heading back to Santa Cruz (on a rough trip where everyone from Ecuador was seasick) and my flight back to the dreaded Guayaquil (pretty grim place)

Well,what can I say? You need to get your butt over there now, pronto, horita, maintenant. Before they put the entrance fee up again.
I'd already booked my flight for the 11th June so all I had to do was work out whether I wanted to do a 4 day or 8 day trip. I ended up opting for the 4 day with a couple of nights on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal before and after.

QUEEN OF GALAPAGOS

A ROOM WITH A VIEW! (The view from the toilet)

On the bus from the airport I met Krin and Lee Ann from Florida and it turned out we were on the same cruise so we hung out until it started. They were really cool and had lots of get up and go, unlike some backpackers I know who think they are "travelling" by going out and getting drunk at night then sleeping all day!!! Very Adventurous, NOT.
We stayed on Santa Cruz in Puerto Ayora and managed to get alot of stuff done while we were there. Laguna Las Ninfas and Las Grietas were great swimming places.

KRIN AND LEE ANN AT LAGUNA LAS NINFAS

LAS GRIETAS

We headed off for our cruise and after some confusion about where the boat was, we started our land trip to see the giant tortoises or galapagos as they are known and who the islands are named after. I couldn't get over the size of them, they are absolutely enormous. After seeing them, I managed to get a go in an old shell. Very strange!!!!

A VERY LARGE TORTOISE

DOES MY BUM LOOK BIG IN THIS?

The next day we went to North Seymour Island where we got chance to see Blue-Footed Boobies and Frigate birds, Marine Iguanas, sealions and lava lizards. This place is amazing!!!

BLUE-FOOTED BOOBIES

MALE FRIGATE BIRD

The rest of the morning was spent snorkelling which was spectacular. Just as we dropped into the water, I headed off on my own and spotted a white-tip shark YEH. Loads of fish and interesting things to see but the highlight was the shark.
The afternoon was spent on bachas beach on Santa Cruz where we spent the whole time swatting horse flies!!! Evil things they are. We went to see a small lagoon where there were flamingos and as we were watching, a marine Iguana swam in front of us. COOL

FLAMINGOS AND MARINE IGUANAS

The end of day 2 and we were all exhausted- I was expecting the guys to party but everyone was asleep by 10pm!!!, Me too. This is the end of part one, more to follow!