Petra on the Galapagos

Earlier Petra already wrote about her first days on the Galapagos Islands. Did you miss this or do you want to read it again? Then take a look at Petra on the Galapagos part 1.

More about the Galapaos

After our walk over the island we return to our ship. While putting on our wetsuits we sail towards Devil's Crown. From the pangas we jump into the water. Devil's Crown is a ring-shaped rock just off the coast that rises from the sea like a crown, when you see it from a distance. The reason it is called the 'devil's Crown' is because it is believed that only a devil can wear such an uncomfortable crown. This place is considered one of the best diving spots in the archipelago. In fact, the rocks are an attractive place for small fish, which in turn attract large fish. For example, there is a good chance of spotting hammerhead sharks, whitetip reef sharks, sea turtles and large rays such as manta rays and spotted eagle rays. Unfortunately we have less luck with spotting animals in Devil's Crown, the current is rather strong and after a few attempts to stay together our wise guide decides that we better go back aboard the panga. 

As soon as we go on board, a delicious barbecue is waiting for us on the sun deck. After lunch we have some time for ourselves. I go to my cabin, to call home. I tell them on the phone how incredibly special it is to be here. From my cabin I see some 'special' waves in the distance. While I look closer I see it again, but this time I realize that it is a big manta ray. Because I don't believe it yet I consult with the guides on board. They indicate that this is very well possible and that the manta rays probably 'jump' high out of the sea to release the parasites at their underside.

Send cards at Post Office Bay

In the afternoon we write some postcards that we post at post-office bay. The Post Office Bay is located on the north side of the island of Floreana. Here the legend of pirates and whalers lives on. The first whalers placed a mailbox here and left their messages for the home front. The idea was that other sailors would take the letters with them and make sure the messages were delivered to the right address. The original mailbox has long since disappeared, but letters can still be posted. Today the mail is still sent in the same way as in the time of the whalers. We left cards behind with the hope that the next visitors will take our cards with them and deliver them. Meanwhile 3 of my 4 cards have been delivered. Of course I also took a card with me and delivered it in the Netherlands.

After this nice visit we can snorkel for a while. From the shore I can already see some rays swimming and it takes some courage to go into the water. I manage to overcome my fear and slowly enter the water. Very close by I see a large sea turtle swimming, how special! When we return to the beach I am warned, there are several rays near the beach by now. I look around and realize that I am surrounded by maybe five rays. Calm down, shuffling through the sand I walk to the beach. 

In the evening it's the birthday of one of the guests on board. The crew dresses in style and provides a fun party on board, where the 'Origin boobies band' is presented. The captain of the ship sings the song of La Bamba to the fullest." Yo no soy marinero, Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan."

Day 4: Back to civilization for a while

After a pleasant evening full of music and dancing we wake up the next day off the coast of the island of Santa Cruz. This island is the middle one of the three inhabited islands in the archipelago and is seen as the beating heart of the Galapagos. Today we are going to explore the island. 

After a few days on uninhabited islands it feels almost strange to see an island that is inhabited. The island has its own infrastructure with several hotels, restaurants and shops. We are taken to the El Manzanillo Giant Tortoise Reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz. This is a reserve for the giant turtles. We put on rubber boots to walk through the area. It is a marshy area with 600 giant turtles. At first we only see a few large turtles here and there, but as we walk further through the area we see them all around us. Some with shorter or longer necks, wider or narrower shells. It is nice to see how these special animals can live here in freedom on the farm.

The day continues with a visit to Los Gemelos. The name refers to the two craters that are located just along the main road. In reality they are not craters, but they are holes that were created when the roofs of the empty magma chambers collapsed. This happened because of tectonic shifts and erosion. In the craters a beautiful green forest can be seen, with bromeliads, orchids, mosses and many birds, like several Charles Darwin Finches. We make another walk through the forest and we walk to one of the naturally formed lava tunnels. A special geological formation. Along the way we see special birds such as the woodpecker finch and a barn owl. 

Lonesome George

In the afternoon we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which has been carrying out activities for the conservation and restoration of the flora and fauna of the archipelago since the 1960s. Here we learn more about the giant turtles. When the turtles are big they are transferred to other islands. We also visit the exhibition made in honour of the lonely George. Lonesome George' was the last turtle on the island of Pinta and died in 2012 at an age of 102 years. In his final years he was known as the rarest creature in the world. Today, George is an important symbol for the conservation of the Galapagos and the rest of the world. After this visit we walk around the centre of Puerto Ayora. Together with other guests I drink a beer.

At the end of the afternoon we return on board where in the evening another delicious dinner will be served. Our Galapagos cruise is already halfway, time flies by, or should I say, sails by. In the evening we sail north to the island of Sombrero Chino.