I have retyped the beginning of the entry four times simply because I literally cannot begin to describe the amazingness that was this week. On Monday, we left for four days on a ship in the Galapagos Islands. At the risk of overusing every superlative adjective I know, I will just start writing about what we did.
Monday, we flew to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s port city and from there to the Islands. From there, we were driven to a dock to hop a boat that took us to the ship. Finally on board the beautiful M/N Santa Cruz, we did some unpacking (OK, so I did some unpacking. I definitely have OCD.), got fitted for snorkel gear and got our group name. There were only 90 passengers on the ship and the majority were either very old, very German or both. They divided us into small groups with names of Galapagos animals for boat rides, etc. We were counting on being the “Boobies” (after Blue-footed boobies) but sadly, we were the Frigates (a funky bird with a big red pouch). However, nothing brings out the immaturity of a group of college students than hearing “Now, we’d like to call the Boobies for disembarking” over the intercom.
Moving on. We took a panga (small boat) ride around the islands to look at volcanoes, rocks, birds, sea lions and PENGUINS! We were so close to all the animals and I don’t know how the guides kept a straight face with the crazy squealing of las chicas and incessant clicking of cameras. Afterwards, they took us to a beach to try snorkeling for the first time. Now, I generally try to give off a slightly tough, tomboyish attitude but swimming with critters is my limit. I was once the little kid that needed the “emergency landing spot” in the Typhoon Lagoon snorkel pool that is as big as my bedroom. But this being the Galapagos and all, something had to give. So I bumbled around, saw a few fish and patted myself on the back. The more exciting part was getting chased away from our bags on the beach by a big, disgruntled bull sea lion.
Tuesday, we hiked up to a look out point on Bartolomé Island. If anyone has seen “Master and Commander,” we were on the same path that the doctor walks. Then, off for more snorkeling. This time, we swam a little farther out, aquatic cameras in hand and after goggling at a bunch of cool fish (including a parrot fish, the one that gave me my nervous breakdown in Typhoon Lagoon), we swam with a sea turtle, had a penguin pop up in our faces and even saw a few sea lions in the distance. And no freak outs to be had by anyone. After lunch and just enough time to lay out on deck and tan/burn, Summers and I went snorkeling again. This time was the real payoff. After swimming out a decent distance, a sea lion skimmed the ocean floor right under me. So as the “Jaws” theme began to play in my head, I tucked my hands in some weird, instinctive “I’m trying to disappear” position and turned around. I think it liked cameras because I swear, the sea lion was trying to play “Chicken” with me, swimming right up to my camera until I shrieked through my snorkel, and then darting away. I have never been so pumped.
The rest of the group showed up for a hike along the coast over all kinds of lava formations. We watched a good many sea lions, some of them tiny pups, plus some crazy iguanas that spat a lot. Hiked until sunset. Sunset. In the Galapagos. On the edge of a volcanic island. With jumping manta rays on the horizon. There are no words.
Wednesday, we went to two islands for two hikes to watch birds (Blue-footed boobies, frigates, finches). I’m not too into birds generally but these were birds that you see on the Discovery Channel, not a foot away in real life. Wednesday night, a bunch of us went up on deck to listen to music and dance and take pictures with some of the crazy guides. Interesting to say the least but as we’ve said many times, whatever happens in Ecuador stays in Ecuador.
Thursday, our last day, we visited the Darwin research station to tag along with giant tortoises. Once again, we were inches away from them. Sadly, there was no riding of the tortoise but y’know, respecting nature and all. After that, we flew back to Quito and the ambitious among us went back to La Bodeguita for Cuban música and much chilling (and plátanos fritos!). I’m still rocking back and forth from the movement of the ship but other than that, life is back to normal. I have about 250 pictures from the past four days but sadly, web space limitations won’t let me post them all. You may all breathe a sigh of relief. Wait ‘til Christmas!!
