The Galápagos Islands - Day 99-105

To get the most out of visiting the Galapagos Islands, and without spending all our money, we chose a 5-day cruise on an "economy" budget yacht, (which meant it was the smallest boat option), called the Nuevo Flamingo. We liked that it was small, because that meant there were only 8 other passengers plus the 5 crew members and our guide. The small size made it a very personal experience, which was great! The "economy" yacht was also nice because all the passengers were our age since we typically can't afford the luxury boats! Besides, what was important to us was the outdoor activities off the boat, not the luxuries found on the larger and fancier boats.

Although it is possible to explore the Galápagos Islands on your own doing day-trips to different islands, we decided to go with a cruise since it allows you to explore islands that are not possible to visit on your own, and plus, we had never slept on a boat like this and wanted to give it a try. The cruise also allows more time to hike and snorkel since less time is spent going back and forth between the day-trips and a hotel.

The day we started the cruise, the worst weather of our entire trip began. For 5 days, a constant thick cloud cover and mist/rain fell on the Galápagos. The weather was extremely unusual for this time of year. No sunshine made snorkeling twice a day very cold, but good thing all the wildlife is under the water and the rain doesn't affect them! Regardless of the bad weather, the wildlife more than made up for it.

Our tiny cabin was so narrow that when Kris stood up his shoulders touched the bed and the wall, but we had our own bathroom!

Our dining area; where we spent most of our time since it was too wet to hang out on the deck.

Our boat is on the left. The other yachts make ours look like a toy boat!

Day 1: Santa Cruz Island

 

Sea turtle tracks. It was breeding season for the turtles and their nests were everywhere.

Sea turtle tracks. It was breeding season for the turtles and their nests were everywhere.

Sally Light Foot crabs cover the rocks next to the ocean. Their beautiful colors especially stand out against the black volcanic rock.

Black marine iguanas are the most common animal to be seen in the Galápagos. This iguana is heading out to sea to feed on the green algae that grows on the rocks under water.

Day 2: San Salvador Island and Bartolome Island

 

We explored this newly formed lava bridge that is less than 150 years old. The hardened lava now connects two islands.

We explored this newly formed lava bridge that is less than 150 years old. The hardened lava now connects two islands.

The lava is not very stable. We are sitting in a hole that hunters broke through years ago trying to eradicate the invasive goat species.

Kris searching under the rocks for sea creatures.

School of Yellow Tail Surgeons

Islands sprouting up everywhere. The Galápagos Islands are one of the most tectonically active areas on earth.

Day 3: San Salvador Island

 

A Blue-Footed Booby and a Pelican watch us as we get very close to them in the motor boat.

A Blue-Footed Booby and a Pelican watch us as we get very close to them in the motor boat.

Being cold-blooded must be really hard when the sun doesn't come out for days.

All the animals tolerates each other (and the humans) really well.

The sea lions were not bothered at all by us. Bella decided a bathing suit with her new raincoat was the best outfit choice to avoid everything getting wet.

Relaxing. The sea lions are such effective hunters, that most of their time can be spent napping or playing.

Huge star fish!

Sea turtle! It didn't mind that Kris was taking pictures of it as it was feeding on the algae.

Day 4: Rabida Island and Sombrero Chino Island

 

This baby was 3 days old! It was very curious of us. Sooo Cute!!!

This baby was 3 days old! It was very curious of us. Sooo Cute!!!

Black Tipped shark swam right underneath us. It was at least 6 ft long!

Getting a closer look at the fish. They don't swim away from you; it's pretty amazing.

Sea lions like to play with people under water. They swim so close to you and turn away at the last second. They like playing with the bubbles that you can blow under water.

Galápagos penguins are some of the smallest penguins on earth. They are able to live on the Equator because of cold water currents that are found here most of the year.

It was so cool watching the sea lion and penguins hunt together! This sea lion just caught a fish in his mouth and ate it right in front of us!

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island

 

Just like the finches, each island has a different type of giant tortoise. Unfortunately, tourists sat oh their shells and pretended to ride on them, so now we can only see them in a zoo-type setting. They eat sooo slow. Hundreds of thousands of tortoises were killed by the first inhabitants and visitors of the islands for their tasty meat and for their fat to light lamps. Now, they are making a slow comeback.

Just like the finches, each island has a different type of giant tortoise. Unfortunately, tourists sat oh their shells and pretended to ride on them, so now we can only see them in a zoo-type setting. They eat sooo slow. Hundreds of thousands of tortoises were killed by the first inhabitants and visitors of the islands for their tasty meat and for their fat to light lamps. Now, they are making a slow comeback.

This is the only type of cactus in the world that grows like a tree. There are forests of cactus trees on the islands.

After 5 days, the sun finally came out right after the cruise was over. It made the iguanas and us really happy!

Iguana taking a swim.

Day 6: San Cristobal Island

 

After the cruise, we spent 2 more nights on San Cristobal island. All the islands have different landscapes. This one has more green vegetation than others that we visited since it is one of the oldest.

After the cruise, we spent 2 more nights on San Cristobal island. All the islands have different landscapes. This one has more green vegetation than others that we visited since it is one of the oldest.

Beautiful King Angel fish