Breakfast at the Quito hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to the Galápagos Islands. The 44-pound weight limit for checked luggage on the flights to the islands had us pack carefully.
Baltra Island is one of the two available airports in the Galápagos Islands. The other airport is located on San Cristobal Island. At Lima airport we met our naturalist guide, Edgar, and transferred to the 16 passenger yacht; Yolita II.
Sailed to North Seymour Island. Dry landing (we get to step on rock path, instead of feet into water) on North Seymour Island using Zodiac inflatable pontoon boat. North Seymour Island is conveniently located next to Baltra Island. It is considered one of the most active seabird colonies in the archipelago. Blue-footed Boobies will nest near the trails, we had opportunity to get a close view during the walks.
Web links: Galapagos
Encountered Swallow-tailed Gulls and sea lions, not seals. Sea lions have ears, seals don’t, we were told. This site is a major nesting colony of Blue-footed Boobies and has the a very large colony of Magnificent Frigate birds. Yes, they are big – maybe 7 foot wingspan? Also varied iguana species; marine iguanas and land iguanas, plus some lava lizards during a hike around the bird nesting sites.
Every evening we have a review of current and next day’s activities. Very helpful. Delicious dinner followed.
Photo 1. Our home for the next week – Yolita II. Will handle 16 passengers. Our guide, Edgar, is at the helm of the first Zodiac inflatable boat that will allow us to make on shore landings possible.
Photo 2. The outstanding crew that helped us. From left to right: Edgar, our guide; Tyrone, the El Capitan; First Mate, Luis; Loberti, the engineer – a master mechanic of all things; Peter, Zodiac operator; Andy, a real “boy scout”: helpful, friendly and much more; Humberto, master chef, truly a genius in the small quarters he works in; his Sous chef, Joel; and the very notable Naldo, bartender, bell ringer for meal notifications and a wealth of knowledge on many things.
Photo 3. The “tourists,” us; Front row: Paula, Nina, and Laura. Second row: Barbara, her sister; Joyce, Bonnie, Gail and Lew. Back row: Carol, Gary, (me) Mariano, Peter, Olaf and Martin. The old guy in the front front wouldn’t tell us his name. He did say his favorite book is by Dr. Seuss – Yertle The Turtle! Fancy that, considering he is a tortoise!
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