A Visit to the Galapagos
Julie Stutzbach spent a semester abroad in the Galapagos. The chance of a life time!
We used this excuse to go visit her and spend a week exploring the islands. A memorable trip for Mark (me), Eileen, Lauren, and Melissa. Our first night in on San Cristobal we were kept awake by the sea lions who would invade the town each night. In the morning they had to be chased out of the coffee shop.
Galapagos Day 1 - San Cristobal
In the morning we boarded a small plane to fly us to our next destination Isabela. Isabela was very rustic with few paved roads and fields of lava. We spent the day exploring the island on foot followed by a swim in a nearby cove. We had our first experience with sea lion jokesters who came up on Lauren and gave her a scare.
The next day we were off exploring the nearby volcano on horseback. We then hiked through endless lava fields resembling a lunar landscape.
We left Isabela by boat on our way to Santa Cruz, the most inhabited island. Our boat ride started out with a scare as we ran aground on some rocks. This fazed none of the locals and we were on our way. We explored Santa Cruz and met Lonesome George, the last of his breed. Poor guy.
The next day Eileen and Melissa were under the weather with a stomach bug. The rest of us boarded a boat to take us snorkeling. We passed this huge rock island full of nothing but birds and snorkeled next to a deep drop off and then in a cove. We had a close up experience with a six foot white tipped shark and many run ins with the playful sea lions. They were experts at coming up on your blind side and giving you a good startle. This was followed up with lunch and an exploration of a small island. Watch out for the roaming Bulls!
We explored more of Santa Cruz and visited farmland which was full of turtles. We made friends with one huge moss covered turtle who really enjoyed the fruit we gathered for him. At the end of the day we returned to San Cristobal. We had a large farewell dinner with our new friends. We also came across a cat who was kindly adopted by our guide.
This was our last day in Paradise. While we were waiting for our plane to arrive the skies opened with this huge deluge. Our plane could not land since it had to circle the airport for too long. So it had to return to the mainland. It could not gas up on San Cristobal so if it landed it was there to stay. No jet fuel on the island. Very comforting. Good bye Galapagos, we will never forget you.