We know that it´s been quite a while since we´ve last blogged, but hopefully our lengthy details and photos about the Galapagos will make up for it (especially after lunch on a Friday afternoon:)
Day One: We arrived at the Galapagos Islands´Baltra Airport around mid-day. Immediately after arriving, we boarded a bus that took us to the pier where we would find our home for the next 7 days, The Galapagos Legend cruise ship. While waiting at the pier, we were welcomed by a huge group of blue footed boobies (the coolest birds ever, we determined later) dive bombing into the water to search for fish. It was awesome! We also had to be careful not to accidentally step on the sea lions laying right on the pier (they were on the benches too, so don´t even think of sitting!). After waiting a few minutes, we boarded the dingy to the boat. Once onboard, we realized that this was a real cruise! We´ve never been on an actual cruise before, so it was new to all of us. The ship was great and the crew was fantastic.
We filled up on a huge buffet lunch and headed to Bartolome Island for the afternoon. There, we saw some sea lions, very colorful crabs, Galapagos penguins, and American Oyster Catchers (cool birds with long, skinny red beaks). We also saw some great landscapes created by the resident volcanoes. All in all, a great first day!
Day Two: Our second day, we woke up bright and early (as we would everyday for this cruise) so that we could land at Urbina Bay in the island of Isabela. We took a short hike where we saw land iguanas and some more birds. Then there was a chance to snorkel which Chris took advantage of (way too cold for Jen and Sue). The visibility wasn´t great, but there were turtles and eagle rays all in the water and Sue and Jen spotted some huge pelicans from land. We also saw some marine iguanas, completely unique (or, "endemic"as Alex, our tour guide would say) to the Galapagos Islands.
In the afternoon, we went to the neighboring island of Fernandina. This was one of our best stops for viewing marine iguanas. The island is literally covered with them (about 250,000 call Fernandina home). We had to be really careful when we walked because we could have easily stepped on them. These iguanas evolved from land iguanas and gained the ability to swim to find food (mostly the algae growing on rocks underneath the water). It is incredibly cool to see them all together snorting out the salt from the water after a swim.
Fernandina is also home to our tour groups namesake, the Cormorants. Much like penguins, these birds evolved by actually losing their ability to fly. They are excellent swimmers though and they are able to get their food from the sea. They also have a really cute mating ritual. The males search the ground for a nice present to give to his lady. Alex told us that a nice twig is the diamond ring of the Galapagos. This female seemed to appreciate this present.
We also saw lots of sea lions and were lucky enough to see a mother nursing its baby. The animals are so fearless of humans in the Galapagos that you have to be constantly aware of your surroundings or else you may just stumble on top of one. It is truly an amazing thing to witness and be a part of.
The volcanic landscape of Bartolome.
A brown pelican looks out over Urbina Bay.
Just too cute to leave out, a sea lion relaxes on Fernandina.
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