Galapagos Islands 2023
Jan 23
Isla de San Cristobal
We arrived early in the morning at San Cristobal and had a wet landing at Punta Pitt. It was good that it was an early hike across the island… SO HOT!
It's a hot hilly climb, but the views from above are worth it.
There was some challenges with the wet re-loading, the boat got stuck on the sand, and a wave hit, spinning it for the next wave... a few people got very damp, the boat was filled with water and there was some less than graceful entries onto the zodiac. Another good reason to have your camera in a dry bag.
On the way back to the boat we had great views of Sea Lions frolicking, or maybe they were laughing at our wet passengers.
After a short break on the boat, we were back in the zodiacs for some more snorkeling. Minke, Meaw, Valerie and Bernine decided to be spectators and spotters from the zodiac. They said they wanted a break, I'm pretty sure it was the sharks.
We were seeing a variety of fish, but suddenly we were seeing a group of sharks, Norine was not impressed, but stuck close to my side. Very close to my side.
After our non-frenzy of snorkeling, we loaded back on the boat for lunch and headed towards the famous Kicker rock.
Freeloading Frigatebirds
Kicker Rock is a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation, rising almost 153 meters (500 feet) from the ocean. The erosion has given the rock its characteristic shape, which some see as a shoe, hence the name Kicker Rock. Others see it as a sleeping sea lion. It's structure is impressive, and it is famously known as an area where Hammerhead sharks congregate.
Captain Tony takes us on a mini-cruise around the rock formation and we all gather on the decks to enjoy the views.
After our Rock Tour with our uninvited guests, we had one more snorkeling excursion at sea lion islet, it was aptly named.
This video ends with the biggest surprise of our day, while we are watching Sea Lions play, there is some big bulls having a disagreement in the background. Suddenly they are blasting past us and bang right into John and Craig... Nobody was hurt, but they sure were shocked. Make sure to watch to the end.
Our final stop of the day was Puerto Baquerizo Moreno town (Isla de San Cristobal).
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is really a cute little sea-side town, completely covered in Sea Lions.
Jan 24
Our second morning on San Cristobal we were loaded on a little bus and taken up the hill to the Galapagos tortoises conservation park.
The centre was created to collect eggs from specific species of giant tortoises, then raise the hatchlings to an age where they can be safely returned to areas where their population was in decline.
After entering the park and walking a few minutes, Gallo is all excited again, and is slapping his hands together... trying to indicate what is happening right now. Mommy, is that turtle climbing over the smaller one?
In different areas you can see tortoises of different ages, from little hatchings, to younglings, to bigguns, so you get a sense of their true growth. They are the largest living species of tortoise, with some modern Galapagos tortoises weighing up to 417 kg (919 lb). With lifespans in the wild of over 100 years, it is one of the longest-lived vertebrates. Captive Galapagos tortoises can live up to 177 years.
We even got to see the infamous yellow warbler... no idea why he is infamous.
On the way back into town we would stop at the Junco volcano water reservoir. El Junco inhabits a crater formed by the collapsed caldera of a volcano. Research has indicated the lake to have been there since the end of the last ice age.
Then it was back on the bus, and back to the ship.
It looks like we were followed back to the ship.
Sadly we had to say Goodbye to Valerie and Manuel from Belgium, but we got to say Hello
to Valentina and Julia from Italy.
Our menus changed that afternoon, we had spaghetti for lunch...I blame the Italians 
Along with our new family members, we were taken to the shore again in the zodiacs.
We were dropped at the Interpretation center for a small historical museum and walk along the cliff side, then made our own way back into town. We didn't spend a lot of time in the museum so we could explore the trails more.
During World War 2, the US used San Cristobal as a strategic military base.
It's a nice walk back to the town and along the shoreline.
After a fun day of exploring and shopping for local souvenirs, we were back on our boat
for an Italian dinner (hmmmm),
and a chance to get to know our new passengers better and enjoy a nice sunset.
Overnight we would leave this little town and head to the isolation of Isla Espanola.