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En Route from Quito to the Galapagos Islands (via Guayaquil) there were a couple of interesting features to see out of the aircraft.
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San Cristobal was the starting point of our cruise aboard the Galapagos Explorer II, and the first few things we had to do were register, receive a briefing about the boat and the environmental impact of us being here and be allocated to our guide and groups for landing. All the Jules Verne group were together - except us. These preliminaries were then followed by a Life Boat drill.
While all this was going on, the boat had set off on its way with a brief announcement as we passed Kicker Rock.
Kicker Rock from the shore
At 5.30 we disembarked on the Pangas (or Zodiacs) - rigid inflatable rafts - and made a wet landing on the beach at "Wizard Hill", or Cerro Brujo.
This was a nice introduction to the wildlife of the Galapagos as we encountered sea-lions galore, crabs and a few interesting birds (e.g. Yellow Warbler, Ground Finch, Plover, Oyster Catchers, Lava Heron and diving Blue Footed Booby). We wandered along the beach, while others went for a swim/snorkel. We thought it a bit cool for that sort of thing. The trip lasted about an hour or so before it was time to return to the panga (being very careful not to trip over/stand on the sea-lions) before reboarding the Galapagos Explorer II.
The evening began with a welcome cocktail, followed by dinner.
Tomorrow is a two island day - Bartholomew and Santiago.
Bartholomew : Back : Galapagos Contents : Contents
