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Galapagos Islands I - #028
Travel to the Galapagos Islands...
Flights and Transportation – Arriving at the Baltra Airport.
Most visitors arrive by plane (about 2 hours from the Ecuador Mainland) and land at the Baltra Airport. They land on Baltra Island, an island just off the northernmost tip of Santa Cruz which is about a forty-five minute trip from town. The only places where flights arrive from are Quito and Guayaquil.
We proceeded to clear documentation and inspections by the authorities then were escorted out side where we met a Celebrity Expedition representative who coordinated our transportation to the pier. Our group boarded what they call a "tender" to transfer us to the ship - on a Zodiac - a small rubber boat that you'll see in our photos.
While we were waiting on the pier there was a sea lion laying on one of the benches - sound asleep! They instructed us "not to get close because they were a wild animal and they bite!!!
Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Islands Cruise, Puerto Ayora, Ecuador, Santa Cruz, Quito, Guayaquil.
Animals of Galapagos...
Blue-Footed Booby, Sea Lion, Iguana
We then boarded the Celebrity Xpedition Cruise Ship...
There's no better way to cover ground on your trip to the Galápagos Islands than to cruise and live aboard this beautiful cruise ship. ... They offer a 7 day, 6 night all-inclusive itineraries which are strictly designed to give you a trip-of-a lifetime experience!
Our first day aboard was a Sunday so we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful ship - a 296-foot mega-yacht that we made our home for the week.
Later that afternoon we were able to cruise to the Baltra and Daphne Islands - view the wildlife and geology as we did a circumnavigation of Daphine Island. Some of the wildlife sightings included; Frigate birds, blue-footed boobies (small ducks with blue feet) Nazca boobies and sea lions.
Our next day our ship moved us to Egas Port, Santiago Island with it's sandy beach and black-rock, blue-water grottos where we took a long walk to admire our surroundings and see more of the birds and animals.
Our third day was a visit to Elizabeth Bay, Isabela Island - one of the western points in the Galapagos. Our ride in the Zodiac offered views of a wide variety of wildlife and a wonderful mangrove ecosystem - in the AM then back to the ship for the afternoon tour.
The ship moved to Tagus Cove, Isabela Island for our afternoon - a place where pirates and whalers used to land! This site offers a breathtaking view of Isabela, it's volcanoes and saltwater lagoon.
On our scenic Zodiac ride we could view the abundant wildlife from the boat including; seabirds, penguins, sea lions, and the nesting flightless cormorants got lots of great photos - many more on the 30- minute download!
Santiago Island is nothing less than a geologic wonderland! The whole area was dried, carved from the lava that we walked on over a blackened landscape. Every step had hardened twists and turns of lava that flowed during a volcanic eruption. I've never seen anything like it!
All those pictures for you are in the download! #028
Celebrity Xpedition, cruise ship, Galápagos National Park, Blue-Footed Booby, Sea Lion, Iguana.
30-minute Movie/Download for $12.00
Lima Peru, #027
Celebrity Xpedition Cruise Ship...
cruise to the Baltra and Daphne Islands - view the wildlife and geology as we did a circumnavigation of Daphine Island. Some of the wildlife sightings included; Frigate birds, blue-footed boobies (small ducks with blue feet) Nazca boobies and sea lions.
Galapagos Islands II - #029
Las Bachas, Santa Cruz Island...
Santa Cruz is an island in Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park and is one of the most beautiful sand beaches of all the Galapagos Islands. Behind it are two small ponds that have flamingos feeding, and on our visit, there was only one - so I took a lot of pictures!
Also is one of the largest nesting areas for the Pacific green sea turtle. In one picture there were tracks a turtle made in the sand! Along with the flamingo there were both birds and a black iguana.
Our guide showed us a beautiful terrain along with the many birds, animals, red crabs all "over the rocks" and the amazing cactus.
All that plus the nice waves kicking up along the shoreline! That was our amazing AM tour, then back to the ship for lunch.
After lunch we were able to visit to the helm of the ship where the captain steers the ship and to see how everything works - a video of the Captain's helper explaining all the equipment it takes to manage a ship.
Included in the download is a video and pictures of the front of the ship! It was really amazing to see how the ship was operated!!!
Our tour included a visit to Santa Cruz and then off to the North Seymour Islands...
30-minute Movie/Download for $12.00
Galapagos Islands II - #029
San Cristóbal is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago, as well as one of the oldest geologically. It is administratively part of San Cristóbal Canton, Ecuador. San Cristobal Island is composed of three or four fused volcanoes.
Galapagos Islands III - #030
Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island...
As we begin our journey this afternoon, it's a great opportunity to explore it's volcanic terrain and stone cliffs at the northeastern end of this large island.
Our visit to this location, thought by many to be the most spectacular site in San Cristobal, allows us the rare opportunity to visit the only location in Galapagos where you can observe all three species of boobies, Blue, Red, and Masked along with two species of frigates birds nesting in the same area.
You can find all of this amazing journey of sea lions (as they posed for the camera), birds and beautiful scenery on your own copy of this amazing 30-minute download!
On our return to the ship, the crew had prepared a wonderful outdoor barbecue where you can meet the Captain and crew as we enjoyed the end of the day with a beautiful sunset. It was all wonderful after a day of touring!
Puerto Ahora, Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ahora, Santa Cruz Island...
El Chato Tortoise Reserve
Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park
Visit The Charles Darwin Research Station
Santa Cruz is the second-largest island in the Galapagos and home to Puerto Ayora (the largest town in the islands). In 1959, the Charles Darwin Foundation was founded to promote scientific research and to ensure the conservation of the Galapagos and in 1992, the waters surrounding the Galapagos were declared a marine reserve!
Santa Cruz is an island in Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park. It’s known for sandy beaches like El Garrapatero. The town of Puerto Ayora is the archipelago’s tourism hub. Here, the Charles Darwin Research Station has a breeding program for endangered giant tortoises, which live wild in El Chato Reserve.
Tortuga Bay attracts sea turtles and marine iguanas. If you came to the Galápagos to stand face-to-face with a giant tortoise, then you can't pass up a
visit with Lonesome George, most sources state Lonesome George was more than 100 years old. The Pinta Island tortoise was relocated for his own safety to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, where he spent the rest of his life.
We had time to visit the downtown market with all the t-shirts, scarves, and all the things you find in these places! They were cutting up fish and the sea lions were under the tables to catch the scraps - got some great pictures offered on the 30-minute download!
Next we went on a bus ride to the highlands to plant a Scalesia tree where - they let us use a pair of rubber boots to walk into the woods and each of planted a tree!
Highlands Lunch & Tortoise Preserve, Santa Cruz Island for our Buffet Lunch, a wonderful show with the local dancers and then more boots and a short walk out to meet the Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat.
Learn More
The animals of Galapagos come to life in these photos and videos!
Rancho El Manzanillo...
Expertly prepared Ecuadorian cuisine!
Fantastic experience with the tortoises -- nice buffet lunch...
The food was expertly prepared Ecuadorian cuisine. This was one of the best buffets on our trip. The dining area overlooked their beautiful property where guests also have the opportunity to walk around and view the giant tortoises.
After lunch, they hired a teenage dance group to perform Ecuadorian folk dances in very colorful, native costumes. As part of the finale, members of the group took the hands of audience members to join in the dancing. Captured the fun of video and save it just for you on your 30-minute download!
Rancho El Manzanillo, Ecuadorian cuisine, buffet, Ecuadorian folk dances, giant tortoises.
30-minute Movie/Download for $12.00
Galapagos Islands III - #030
This was a unique tour of the Ranch with time to also enjoy the Giant Tortoises, the great entertainment and dancing.
SHOPPING IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Traveling in Santa Cruz and San Cristobal is breathtaking and is worth getting your own Virtual Vacation Copy!
30-minute Movie/Download for $12.00
Galapagos Islands IV- #031 Lots of Shoppin
Manzanita Ranch - This was a great stop on our Santa Cruz island tour and we loved it, where we could enjoy view of the roaming tortoises. Saw the teenage dance group performing Ecuadorian folk dances in very colorful, native costumes. Lots to do while we waited for our flight back to Quito.