Thanks to the local rooster, I was up at 5:30, an hour ahead of my alarm clock, so I took the time to write a bit on this blog, get dressed and have most of the luggage packed up. Because I made the mistake of thinking one duffle would be enough for the three of us on the Galapagos, the bag was stuffed to the hilt, and we were always trying to find one more corner to fit in a forgotten item.
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| View outside our room in Floreana |
We had a quick breakfast, then got in the Chiva to go up highlands to visit a Giant Tortoise reserve, the fresh water spring which was the only source of fresh water on Floreana, and the caves where the first families stayed when they first came to the island.
Priscilla told us the story of the Baroness (who was not a very nice woman) and her three lovers. After annoying the other two families on the island by repeatedly stealing their food and bathing in the communal water container (which was used for drinking and cooking), she "disappeared" but legend has it that people still see her ghost in the hills.
On that note, we got back in the Chiva, Yarden and Ricky on the roof, and headed back to our cabins to quickly collect our backs before hopping onto another high-speed boat to our final home in the Galapagos, Isabela Island.
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| Napping and blogging |
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| Sea Turtles copulating |
After settling in a bit and having lunch, we hopped on a small boat and headed out to Tintoreros, a small island preserve that sea lions, and marine iguanas called their home, and the adjoining channel where white-tipped reef sharks rested when they weren't feeding. We saw not only the sharks, but also many sea turtles and a giant manta ray in the channel,
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| White-tipped Reef Sharks |
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| Sea turtle, Manta Ray and Shark |
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| Outgrown crab shell |
hundreds of marine iguanas one on top of the other,
and males declaring their territories to one another, and even two getting into a bit of a tussle over it.
We marveled over the cuteness of month-old sleepy sea lion cubs, that still weren't very coordinated, and we're reluctant to leave them.
Knowing, however, that our next stop was some more snorkelling, we got it together and headed out.
On the way to Tintoreros we also spotted blue footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, oyster catchers, and other birds. I will admit, I really am not of a bird person due to a semi-traumatic incident when I was a kid, so I did not respond as enthusiastically to the birds as I did to the other wildlife we have been seeing.
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| Penguins! |
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| More Penguins! |
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| Oyster Catcher |
We had been really spoiled in our past two snorkel expeditions, and comparatively ,this one as a little disappointing. Sure, we saw sea turtles and rays, ho hum. (no not really, they are magical no matter how many times I swim with them), but the current was strong, and the water quite chilly. I struggled with my snorkel and mask quite a bit, but eventually figured out ho to deal with the slight leakage. When we got back, we heard that a sea lion had stopped by and played with a bunch of people. How exciting!
Before dinner, we got a quick mixology lesson, and a ceviche making lesson. Unlike Peruvian ceviche, the protein (fish or shellfish) in Ecuadorian ceviche is precooked instead of allowing the acid to do all the work. According to the chef, the following ingredients are always present in Ecuadorian ceviche: ketchup, mustard, oil, lemon/lime juice, onion, green pepper, yellow pepper, and cilantro. We were told that it is typically served with plantain chips, popcorn, fried corn kernels, sweet potato or rice. After lots of nibbling on ceviche, we we in to dinner.
After settling in a bit and having lunch, we hopped on a small boat and headed out to Tintoreros, a small island preserve that sea lions, and marine iguanas called their home, and the adjoining channel where white-tipped reef sharks rested when they weren't feeding. We saw not only the sharks, but also many sea turtles and a giant manta ray in the channel,
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