The Galapagos Archipelago - Ecuador

The Galapagos Archipelago lies on the equator 1000 kms west of the Ecuadorian mainland. It consists of 13 major islands and many small ones. The scenery is barren and all volcanic. Some islands are inhabited. Charles Darwin visited in 1835 to study the wildlife, and his observations led him to his theory of evolution. Managed to get mates rates via a UK girl that we met in Vietnam (so that was long ago, and we only spent a couple of times with her, but she has kept in contact with Ian), and she has family on the Galapagos Islands. Check out this amazing boat - The Floreana, that we went on for 8 days!!!!!! The last of our big spends. Thank you Jaki!!! http://www.yatefloreana.com/ Our 8 day boat cruise was great, especially snorkeling with the sea lions. We got to visit many of the islands and see amazing animals, such as red and yellow land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, blue footed and nazca boobies (birds), Darwin finches, Hummingbirds, sea lion colonies, black tipped sharks, turtles, pelicans, frigate birds (that have a huge red expandable pouch below there beak), penguins, manta rays, flamingos and the wave albatross. And we got to know Karin and Lauren from Oz better, which was great fun (remember that we had already met them in Banos, and knew that we were on the same boat). Anything less in time on a boat, I would have found disappointing! It costs enough just to get there, let alone not to spend very much time. For example, the flight will cost around US$350 and then an automatic US$100 National Park entrance fee, then your boat is anywhere between US$500 and US$1500. And keep in mind that an 8 day cruise is really only 6 days, because you arrive early midday and do not do to much on the first day, and then the last day you are having breakfast at 6am, visiting the Charles Darwin Research Centre at 7.30am and finishing the tour at 9am. So imagine what it is like for the 4 day tours, that is really only 2 full days!!!! Ian went diving and loved it - with sea lions, huge turtles and hammerhead sharks, along with heaps of other animals. I do not dive at all. Tried it again in Thailand and did not like it at all! Probably actually preferred my first dive in Mexico more than the second. Ian likes the idea of returning to the Galapagos at some time and working as a Dive Master (no pay but usually accom. is thrown in), and funny enough over breakfast at the airport before we flew back to the mainland, I started talking to a woman who had set up a non for profit organisation working with the community on education and health issues. Sounded very interesting and right up my alley. The tourist visa is for 3 months, so we could return and volunteer our time. Who knows. First things first - UK for 3 months - Oz for 3 weeks, and then back to the UK to make more pounds. We then spent 5 nights on an island called Isabella, with Lynn and Anne off the boat - which you get to via a very bumpy 2 hr speed boat - and well worth it and very relaxing. It is a small fishing village. The streets around the town are sand. The major wants to change this, as a large runway is being built, and he wants to make the roads concrete! So better to visit there sooner than later. We will always remember Lynn (from the USA - who is friends with Jaki)for her amazingly funny stories and her infectious laugh!! On the main island of Santa Cruz the main population centre is called Puerto Ayora. We stayed for 2 nights and spent time with Jaki and her sister Linda. Linda has a cafe called Tintorera, which is definately worth a visit. The Charles Darwin Research Centre has a baby tortoise nursery and a walk in adult enclosure. It is quite large and interesting. Linda took us to her parnter, Jimmys family farm to see the cows, their large pet tortoise, to take a walk and cook us lunch. We had a great time meeting Linda, and having the opportunity to spend more time with Jaki.