I’m not sure what I expected from the Galapagos. Scientists walking around with binoculars and notepads maybe. Mangroves and mud and lots of brown birds. What I didn’t expect was crystal clear turquoise beaches with white sand. Surf beaches. I didn’t expect the variety of wildlife I saw in such abundance.
(Yes, it’s so good it deserves to be said twice!)
But let me start at the beginning.
We arrived in the Galapagos with 3 days to spare before out cruise. Wanting to make the most of our time we decided to head to Isabela Island, an island we wouldn’t be visiting on the cruise.
(The beach on Isabela)
Isabela is the largest island in the archipelago with a length of around 130kms and 5 volcanoes. We took a 2hr ‘ferry’ (aka private boat that takes people between islands) to the sandy beaches of Isabela. As we drove in to the pier I spotted a Blue Footed Booby, a manta ray and HEAPS of sea lions…this was going to be good. We had 2 nights on Isabela and we alternated between relaxing on the beach…with the marine iguanas and red crabs…and exploring.
(Our welcome…they are everywhere! Sea lions.)
(Accommodation Isabela style)
(Sunsets)
Tom was keen to do a volcano trek so we set off early Friday morning. Volcan Sierra Negra is still considered active and last erupted in 2005. The crater is more than 10km across and it is just a field of solidified lava. Huge!
(Looking across the crater)
We then went around to Volcan Chico, a smaller volcano created by a small fissure from the main Sierra Negra. The change in scenery to get there is incredible.
(My first land iguana spotting!)
And once you are there you feel like you are on the moon.
(A crater…that you can’t see in this photo…)
(Tom hating having his photo taken)
(Looking over the rest of Isabela)
We spent the rest of the time enjoying the stunning beach and cycling and snorkeling around the island.
When we headed back to Santa Cruz we checked out Tortuga Bay, a gorgeous white sandy beach just out of town. While the beach is too rough to swim in, you can swim in the peaceful lagoon at the end.
(Storm rolling in over Tortuga Bay)
(Tom confused and looking for a man in the MANgroves…)
(Me and the marine iguanas)
(Tom’s jump shot)
We also checked put a giant tortoise reserve. People still eat these amazing creatures so the reserve is trying to save as many as they can.
(Me and a tortoise!
(Roaming free)
(Spa day!)
Finally they had an old shell that you could climb into….
Our last stop for the day was an old lava tunnel formed millions of years ago. The lava stream cools and creates a crust on the outside, leaving a tunnel. We walked through without a guide and thought it was amazing.
(Tom looking a little dubious)
Then we got to the end…and it was a tight squeeze!
