Tuesday 16th May 2017
San Cristobal Island
Woke up in the bay of the capital, San Cristobal. This didn’t seem as large or as busy as
Puerto Ayora. Again, sealions lined the bay and lay all over the landing
pontoons, as well as any abandoned boats in the bay. We all got into taxis and drove about 15 mins
up the coast to a snorkelling area off a reef-protected beach. It was only about 8am and I still was clean
and cool, so didn’t go snorkelling in what appeared to be a choppy bay. Instead I watched the seals and chilled
out. Took a video of Pete and Brenda
mucking about with a baby seal who was using them for entertainment, and
splashing them and performing acrobatics. Fabulous.
Taxis back to town where Judy and I bought a few bits – ‘I
love Boobies’ baseball hats and some Galapagos T-shirts and postcards. Postcards only $1, but stamps $3.50 each!
Judy bought some rum for a sundowner. Joined the gang who had already started
on the beers and joined them in an ice-cold bottle. Yum. Had a brief internet
connection at the café – about 10mins to catch up on emails and download
facebook – before we had to leave.
Back for lunch – soup, pieces of beef, plantains, rice,
tomatoes/basil/mozzarrela and fruit salad.
Afternoon we went for a walk through Lobos Island, famous for its
population of sea lions and fur sea lions. Also nesting ground for the great
frigate bird and a small number of blue footed boobies. Very rocky terrain,
with huge boulders which were part of the so-called path. Luckily we’d brought
our hiking poles which helped keep the balance. Definitely not a place
accessible by disabled and Brian did a sterling job with his bad leg and
crutches!
Snorkelling was the best ever. The group moved on and Iain and I were left
with a few very playful sealion pups who wanted to show off. We ended up mimicking each others’ moves,
swimming on backs, duck diving and changing direction. They were so friendly,
swimming right at us, then just avoiding, or looking into the go-pro. Obtained
some fabulous footage, which went on for about half hour. Finally were told to get back on the zodiacs,
which we did reluctantly. As we left the sealions jumped out of the water. I
like to think it was in farewell.
Back to boat for some well-deserved sundowners.
Very choppy seas while we transferred islands. Iain was
downloading photos and videos until midnight, so what with that, the aircon not
on, lights shining and sea-swell, I didn’t get to sleep till gone 1230.
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