A hidden place in the sea with creatures only seen in this far end of the world the Galapagos Islands were always a dream of mine. I would have never thought that we would come so far to experience this magical place first hand.
From Quito we flew to San Cristobal where Ruben our guide awaited us.
We transferred to our new home for the next 8 days on sea, the Yate Eden.
This beautiful and charming lady and it's 6 crew members was about to extend our transportation into unknown waters. Together with 14 other passengers we were to live on the boat.
A little welcome comity was awaiting in the harbor.
After settling in into our new environment, we went on an island to explore our first animals.
A sea lion is looking where the intruders came from.
The famous blue footed booby
A young blue footed booby warming up in the sun.
A sea iguana showing off his new hair fashion.
We got a chance to snorkel in the chilly but beautiful looking waters.
We were about to see sea iguanas feed and swimming with tropical fishes and even a sea lion joined us and curiously circled around us.
The cook prepared every day delicious food for us and we had a attentive service all around.
Daily we did different activities.
We went for hikes on islands, crossing through colonies of sea lions, sea and land iguanas and getting close to Galapagos hawks and more snorkeling with tropical birds.
The landscape created in Galapagos is so magical and unique, as I have never seen before. The creation of the islands through volcanic activity shows wherever you look.
Here it was that Charles Darwin said: not the strongest, but the one which is able to adapt will survive!
In this often so harsh environment you need to be very good in adapting...
As we promised to take a picture for our good friend Devon (5 years old) of the Galapagos Turtles, we went to a research center, but also into the wild, wide nature to meet the different species.
This is the famous lonesome George. He is the last of his kind. To keep his species alive, scientists have chosen two other female turtles which are the closest to his genes in the hope that he would reproduce with them. So you could call him a lucky guy. But somehow lonesome George is not interested in his female companions. The are very eager to get his attention, but he just walks away and rests his long neck in the sun. There are speculations now that he is not interested in the other gender... We all hope that for the sake of preventing the lost of his type of turtle, he changes his mind and chooses one of the attractive ladies.
The colors and forms created by nature are absolutely amazing. Every day, every place we went to had something new to offer.
Animals of all different types on land
This big land iguana is sunbathing in a spectacular surrounding.
A Lava Lizard with his bright shining colors waiting for a fly to catch.
Young sea lions after playing in a rock pool.
A baby frigate bird waiting for food delivery by his parents. The are also known as the pirates of the air (harrrrrrrr)
An old sea iguana coming back from feeding on seaweed in the cold ocean.
The Galapagos penguin
The flightless cormorant couple on their nest. They are very caring for each other during the breading time. They are also excellent divers and fishers. I had the chance to see them shooting through the waters and catching fish and looking for delicatessen under water.
The water world might be very cold, but very special and unbelievable rich in different things to see.
A couple of penguins were fishing directly under us and came as close as an arm away to us. As they are very fast divers it was almost impossible to take a picture of them. They are moving like torpedoes through the water and catching their food. I had at one time 5 penguins around me hunting for the crowd of small fish.
Huge green sea turtles were almost everywhere and eating on the oceans floor or gently gliding through the waters.
Where as of the sea lions, they approached us in a very interested and playful way. At first a little curious, then with a lot of excitement they were shooting around us and getting very close. You could hear screams coming from the snorkels around you left and right. It might have been Megan or Natalia...
We finally saw a volcano crater without rain. The Sierra Negro is supposed to be the biggest crater of the world. It's only 6 years ago that he spit loads of dust miles into the air and lava came to the surface. Unfortunately we were not able to roast marshmallows over the red magma... All my attempts to jump up and down on the floor to open a crack were not successful.
We were able to see the Frigate Birds, also known as the Pirates of the air, trying to at tracked females to mate. I tell you, they make a lot of effort!
Where Chrisy made a lot of effort to catch "Zorro".
Most of the time she was not successful, but she didn't give up.
So finally...
She got him!
This was the fantastic company we had to explore this amazing islands.
Thank you to all of you to make it an unforgettable time...
Until the last minute we enjoyed the trip and opportunity to experience this remote part of the world.
Enjoy more pictures under the following link: Galapagos Islands
Devon is going to LOVE seeing these pics! I can't believe how many animals you are seeing. I would be scared to death, but I am enjoying seeing your pics. I'm happy you all are enjoying life and getting to see so many new and wonderful things!
ReplyDelete-Julie