Days 9 and 10-The Departure

Leaving this place is not easy-both physically and emotionally.  I have fallen in love with this beautiful archipelago and would jump at a chance to stay longer (several groups are staying for the extension to Machu Picchu).

The steps involved in leaving the Galapagos islandsare numerous because this ship cannot dock anywhere and everything has to be brought on and off via the small Zodiac boats.  Interestingly, everything we ate came over on the plane ride with us.

We began disembarking the ship at 8:00 am but because of delays with transportation (such as repairing of the runways) we didn't get off the islands and arrive in Guayaquil until around 4:00 pm.  I was still feeling the movement of the ship.  I think this will be happening for days.  We spent the night at our hotel in Guayaquil and tried to get some much needed rest before our 2:00 pm direct flight to JFK on Sunday.  Sunday was the first day this vacation that we didn't get a wake up call before 7:00.


We finally arrived in NYC at 10:00 pm but didn't arrive to my mom's place in  CT until 2:00 am because of customs, etc.  We head back to New York late Monday morning.

Adios Galapagos!  Nos divertimos muchisimo!

P.S. Many of you will be happy to know that I never got a chance to taste the guinea pig (cuy).  Upon further investigation, I found out that is only served in the mountainous areas such as Quito.  My daughter was definitely relieved.

Day 8 Genovesa Island

Friday April 5th-Genovesa Island

Schedule for day: 

7:00 wake up call

7:30-8:15 breakfast

8:15-10:45 Morning hike

11:00 Deep sea snorkeling

12:30 departure debriefing

1:00 lunch

2:00 Presentation on plankton and ROV open house on the sky deck

4:00-5:30 Evening beach hike

7:00 Farewell Cocktail Party

7:30 dinner

This is our last day and it is a full one!  We woke up at 7:00 and headed to breakfast by 7:30 followed by a hike on the genovesa island.  This was on overwhelming seabird experience.   I think this was my favorite island because of it's pristine environment.  No one lives on this island and no other visitors were on this island today except for our group.  We saw Galapagos fur seals,  red footed boobies (piqueros patas rojas), storm petrels and the well done frigate birds.   We )searched for the short eased owl (Lechuza de campo) but had no luck.  :(

Later in the morning however we had a wonderful snorkeling experience.  We swam over a school of hammerhead sharks -tiburones (about 7) and saw a few sea turtles.  The water was a bit rough and colder than earlier in the week but it was very exciting to see these animals.  

At 4:00 we disembarked for our last adventure on Genovesa island.  During this last visit to the island we saw frigate birds (frigatas), red footed boobies (piquero patas rojas), blue footed boobies (piquero patas azules), Nazca boobies (piquero de Nazca), Swallow-tailed gull (gaviota de cola bifurcada) and some sea lions (lobos marines) and Galapagos fur seals (lobo de dos pelos).  It was a relaxing walk along the beach.  There was a lot of singing amongst the birds as it is the breeding season.  The frigate birds had their wings open and were showing their red throats while the females were deciding which bird was a good catch and would make the best nest.  Very interesting to watch.

Male frigate bird (Frigata)

 

At 7:00 there was a closing speech by Carlos and everyone got on the microphone and said a little something memorable about their trip.  

Dinner was served at 7:45.

Tomorrow we depart the ship at about 8:00.  :(


This is the unique species called the blue footed boobie (piquero patas azules).  So beautiful!

This is the claimed red footed boobie (piquiero patas rojas).

Day 7 Bartolome and Sombrero Chino

Thursday April 4th-Bartolome and Sombrero Chino

Schedule for day:

6:00  Wake up call 

6:30  Disembark ship 

6:45-7:45 hike to summit of the island 359 ft

8:00-9:00 breakfast

9:30 glass bottom boat outing

12:30 lunch

2:00 National Geographic video

2:30 Charles Darwin Powerpoint Presentation

3:30 Deep water snorkeling

5:00 Zodiac ride

6:45 debriefing

7:30 Barbecue dinner  followed by star gazing 

Very few plant species can survive the drought conditions here.  This is a volcanic moonscape of rust colored "spatter cones", large pale cones and sooty lava flows.  The lava cactus thrives here as well as the candelabra cactus.  Very little animal life here however I did spot a couple of small lava lizards (lagartija de lava).

The glass bottom boat experience was awesome!  We took the Zodiac to the glass bottom boat in a small inlet.  We saw several species of fish including: Trumpetfish (Pez Trompeta), Blue Chin Parrotfish (Pez loro de barba azul), Panamic Sergeant Major (Sargento Mayor), Creole Fish (Pez gringo), Razor Surgeonfish (Pez chancho), King Angelfish (Pez Bandera), Burrito Grunt (Pez Zapatilla) and also a sea lion (lobo marino) that went directly under the boat.  First time guide had ever seen that!  Good experience since it familiarized myself more with the names to help prepare me for the next snorkeling experience.

At 3:30 we went deep water snorkeling again and for the first time I saw a Galapagos shark (Tiburon Galapagos).  A bit nervous but I did it.  We didn't see much different but it was a good experience.  

During the Zodiac ride at 5:00 I finally got to see some Galapagos penguins (Pinguino de las Galapagos) and we also saw 3 flamingos fly over the water in unison -que bueno!

Day 6 -Santa Cruz and Daphne

Wednesday April 3rd-Santa Cruz and Daphne

Schedule for day:

6:00 wake up call

6:30-8:00 disembark boat and long hike on Cierro Dragon

8:00-9:00 breakfast

10:30 snorkeling

12:30 Ecuadorian buffet

1:30 Zodiac ride

4:00 video presentation

5:30 sunset champagne toast

7:00 recap

7:30 dinner

At 6:30 took a Zodiac to Cerro Dragon on the island of  Santa Cruz we disembarked for a long hike where we saw pink flamingos (flamencos), large Galapagos land iguanas (Iguana terrestre de Galapagos), 

After breakfast we had another snorkeling experience but not as clear as Monday.  Morgan was a bit fearful of the deep waters.  We saw King Angelfish (Pez Bandera), Razor Surgeonfish (Pez Chancho).  The deep sea scuba divers say sharks such as hammerhead and white tipped shark (tintorineo).

The Ecuadorian buffet was the best meal by far.  Some of my favorites were the roast suckling pic, coconut grouper, ceviche, cassava bread (Pan de yucca), tres leches.  The waitstaff was dressed in traditional Panama hats. Panama hats are made from Ecuador and NOT Panama.

Panama hat (hecho en Ecuador)

See roast suckling pig below (el cochinillo)

See dessert below 3 milks (tres leches).  Riquisimo!

Following lunch the kids got a chance to drive the Zodiac and the adults enjoyed a cruise on the Zodiac.

The afternoon continued with a video title "What Darwin Never Saw" which showed 2 scientists following the life of the Darwin finches.  They were getting close to becoming extinct but el Nino in 1982 that brought much water to the dry island helped them to flourish once again.

The evening ended with a beautiful sunset champagne toast and dinner.

Day 5 Santa Cruz Island

Tuesday April 2nd

Charles Darwin Research Station and El Trapiche, Santa Cruz

Schedule for the day:

6:00 Wake up call

7:00-7:45 Breakfast

7:45 disembark  and visit to Charles Darwin Institute-turtles, lonesome george

10:45-11:15 Visit to local sugar can mill

12:45-1:45 lunch at a local restaurant in rain forest

2:00-3:30 Visit to National Park for closer viewing of the giant tortoises.

3:00-5:00 shopping in town

6:45 Briefing on next day's activities

7:30 dinner and local musicians and dancers

Today we disembarked at Puerto Ayora which is home to some 18,000 inhabitants and is the economic hub of this area.  We started the day with a visit to the Charles Darwin Institute.  This is where scientists gather information for the conservation of the islands animals.  They conduct research and and help to maintain the livelihood of the giant Galapagos Tortoise.  This also was the home of "Lonesome George", the last of the Pinzon Island tortoises before the extinction of his species last year.  

After the Darwin Institute we visited a  sugar cane farm and saw production of sugar cane, sugar cane alcohol and coffee.  We then got to sample it.  Que rico!

Old method for producing sugar can syrup (press)

We were then transported to a local restaurant in the rain forest for a tasty lunch.

Our next adventure included a visit to the property of a native Galapagueno where we were required to wear tall rubber boots so that we could manever well in the muddy terrain.  This was only about a half mile walk but the terrain was uneven, rocky and muddy.  This area was the central location of the annual migratory route of these giant tortoises.

Galapagos Turtle (Tortuga)

Turtle in road (needed moving my naturalist)

Following this visit, we had a little time to do some light shopping in town.  We picked up a tshirt for Morgan, an animal guide and map for me and my mom purchased 2 hand carved wooden bowls with tortoises made of cedar (one for me:).
We also stopped by a local fish market and were amazed at how they fed the sea lions and pelicans as if they were pets.

We headed back to the ship by 5:00 and showered and made a phone call home.

Recap of day and explanation of Wednesday's events

After dinner there was an amazing folkloric dance presentation by an Andean group.  The last song of the evening was a salsa and one of the guides named Enrique asked me to dance.  Que divertido!

Day 4-Isla Floreana

Monday April 1st

Isla Floreana

Schedule for day:

6:00 wake up call

6:30 short hike

8:00-9:00 breakfast

9:30 Zodiac ride

10:45 deep water snorkeling

12:30-1:30 lunch

1:30 kids make postcards

2:00 kayaking

4:30 Zodiac ride to post office and Zodiac cruise

6:45 recap of day and briefing on Tuesday's activities

7:30 dinner

Floreana is a peaceful, rolling island containing numerous extinct volcanic cones amidst a variety of scrubby vegetation  It's history dates back almost 2 centuries ranging from whalers to prisoners and colonists.   Floreana was the second of four islands that Charles Darwin visited ashore during his 5 week visit to the Galapagos in September 1835.

We began the day with a wet landing at Punta Cormorant.  We took a short hike around the island stoping to see vegetation such as passion fruit and the sticky leaf plant (pega pega).  We saw a flamingo (flamenco), brown pelican (pelican cafe), and saw where the giant Galapagos tortoise (tortuga de los Galapagos) lays it's eggs on the beach.

Sticky leaf plant (pega pega)

Zodiac ride at 9:30 we saw the very rare Floreana mockingbird (Cucuve de Floreana).  This is the only island where a small population of the Floreana mockingbird exists.  It almost became extinct due to the cats, rats and other predators.  I finally got to see the blue footed boobie (Piquero patos azules) on this ride.

At  10:45 we went deep sea snorkeling via Zodiac.  This was a wonderful experience.  The water wasn't too deep or too shallow for our first experience.  We saw several different species of fish including starfish -Chocolate chip Sea Star (Estrella Chispas de Chocolate) and lobster as well as sea lions (lobos marinos).

At  2:00 Morgan and I went in a double kayak around the inlets (with a guide and 14 other people).

At 4:30 the group left the boat to visit to one of the oldest post office in the world which is located on this island.  This post office was first mentioned in 1793 by British Captain James Colnett.  The idea behind this is that no one is to pay postage.  If you see a postcard with an address near you, you are to hand deliver it to the person (honor system).  The guides read aloud the address of the postcards and surprisingly there was a postcard with an Albany address which I volunteered to deliver.  There was also a Bethlehem, PA address which I also volunteered to deliver.  

Afterwards we took a Zodiac cruise around the island until sunset.  Got some of the best pictures of the sunset with sea lions.

Día 3-¡Feliz Pacua!

Hola.  Today is Sunday March 31st and it also happens to be Easter.  Suprisingly there isn't much mention of the Easton bunny, rather lots of marine iguanas, sea lions and Nazca boobies.

Today we experienced a variety of activities: snorkeling, hiking and relaxing on the beach with many more sea lions that we saw yesterday. 

First at 8:00 we attended a debriefing about kayaking and snorkeling int the Galapagos Islands.  Again, lots of rules.  At 9:45 we took the Zodiac to the rocky island Española (Gardner Bay).  As I mentioned yesterday it is the world that Charles Darwin visited in 1835.  When we arrived we were amazed to see hundreds of lobos marinos (sea lions) pleasantly sleeping.  We made a wet landing onto the shores and the lobos marinos remained in their locations and weren't disturbed by our presence.  We spent a little time their getting used to our snorkeling gear but didn't see too many fish in the waters.  This was mainly a practice for Monday where we were going to have a deep sea snorkeling experience.  After a couple of hours on the island, we headed back to our ship and got ready for lunch.

At 3:00 we departed the ship for a dry landing at Punta Suarez which is one of the richest wildlife locations in the Galapagos.  We took a slow 2 mile hike on rocky volcanic rock and we saw the following: lobos marinos, iguanas, piqueros de Nazca (Nazca boobies), iguanas, mockinbirds and the famous winged albatross which has a wing span of 8 ft wide.  We were fortunate to see the albatrosses since this was the first siting for 2013.  They come back to this island for nesting purposes.  We returned to the ship at sunset 6:00 pm.

Before dinner at 7:30 we had a recap session and briefing about Monday's activities.  After dinner the photo instructor and naturalist gave a presentation on using your camera.  Then to bed at 9:30 for an early wake up call at 5:45.

Dia 2

Sabado la 30 de marzo

Got up at 5:00 am.  Left Hilton Colon in Guayaquil to arrive at airport for short 1 1/2 hour flight to islands   1 hour delay but still arrived on San Cristobal island (third largest) by 10:00 am.  Took shuttle to boat launch where we boarded a National Geographic Zodiac.  We were greeted by several sea lions bathing in the sun.

Boarded National Geographic Endeavour.

Attended several lectures on weeks activities and policies and procedures.  Found out that there are approximately 180,000 visitors to the Galapagos year.  Compare that with Disney or Yellowstone.  Extremely strict here.  Prohibited to bring ANY food, gum, wrappers, etc. on any of the islands.  Metal water bottles are permitted. Glad to see how proud Ecuador is of it's country ad has continued to preserve this pristine archipelago.

At 3:30 we had our first island expedition.  Took Zodiac to Cerro Brujo (Wizard Hill) where we were again greeted by sleeping sea lions.  They weren't the least bit frightened and we just quietly walked by them.  Be sure to check out my pictures and video of them in action.

Tomorrow we are headed to Isla Espanola.  This is the world that Charles Darwin visited in 1835.  We hope to see marine iguanas, blue footed and Nazca boobies and endemic albatrosses.  Isn't this place the most beautiful place you have ever seen?  I can't believe it didn't become claimed by Ecuador or any other country until the 1930's. 

Dia 1

Buenas noches!  Hoy estoy en Guayaquil, Ecuador.  Llegamos muy temprano esta manana a las cinco de la manana. 

El viaje en avion de JFK a Guayaquil nos fue bien y pasamos el dia aqui en ecuador explorando la ciudad de guayaquil.  No tengo mucho de contar ahorita pero manana muy temprano (a las 7:20) salimos el hotel para las islas.  Espero compartir unas fotos y cuentos interesantes manana.  

¡Bienvenidos!  Welcome to my blog of my amazing adventure to The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 2013!  

My mother has generously invited my daughter Morgan (age 12) and I to join her on an amazing trip aboard the National Geographic ship called the Endeavor.  Below is a picture of our boat. For those of you interested in the specific details of this 96 passenger boat, you can check it out on the link here.   This is a once in a lifetime trip and I feel so fortunate that I can experience this with her and my daughter.
http://www.expeditions.com/our-fleet/endeavour

 

These islands are known for their unique and abundant species of animals that are fearless of humans and visitors can get up close and personal to some of the world's rarest animals.  Have you ever heard of the blue footed booby? 

We have been busy preparing for this trip by reading up on Ecuador, watching videos and researching on-line.  We are so excited to explore this new culture.  In preparing for this, we watched a video that highlighted one unique local food item called "cuy" (otherwise known as guinea pig in English).    Morgan has always been an adventurous eater, however she has made an emphatic decision not to eat "cuy" on our upcoming trip (especially since the new household pet of the Cornell's happens to be a guinea pig).

If you would like to see our itinerary, take a look at the link here.  http://www.expeditions.com/Global/pdf/Printable%20Itinerary%20Summaries/EN_GALA%202013%20tiered.pdf

 

We leave in exactly 5 days.  I plan to update this blog daily with stories (both in English and Spanish), pictures and video (technology permitting) from our boat.  I hope you enjoy it.  I encourage you to comment, ask questions, etc.  ¡Gracias y Chao!