Galapagos, Baltra Island

Galapagos Day 1 Sunday October 3

Steve and I were up at 5:30 for a quick breakfast and then off to the airport on a bus with the rest of our group. Transfers and everything taken care of by GAP very efficiently. We flew to Guayaquill and took on a few more passengers and then we flew to the island of Baltra in the Galapagos. On the plane I sat and chatted with Valerie from Brisbaine, Australia. She is on our tour. Island is rocky and barren. Airport is very small and has a flea market. Suntan lotion was $16! Lots of t-shirts: I love boobies. As soon as we arrived we saw a large land iguana running down the road in front of our bus, a marine iguana on the dock, a couple of sharks in the water and a number of beautiful frigate birds. This is what I came for!

We were loaded on a small zodiac boat in two shifts, to get to our G1 “Pelikano” boat. Once on board we had a meeting explaining safety, boat rules, park rules etc. Then we had lunch, with lots of good veggies. Then we had time to unpack, settle, mingle and hangout on the sun deck. Temperature is about 75 and mainly sunny, but windy.

Then we headed out to a beach and a walking tour. Saw marine iguanas, crabs, pelicans, frigate birds. Beautiful rugged area. After the walk we could swim, not many did, but I ventured in. The water is fairly warm but the bottom of the beach was very rocky and there were big waves. Fun nonetheless.

Back on board for a meeting about tomorrow, then dinner, again good food – chicken and veggies, rice, salad. Steve and I talked to a group of nurses from BC for awhile and then everyone headed to bed at 8:30.

My top bunk is very narrow and shallow but comfortable. Slept well from 9 to 3 until the boat set sail. Then it was rough and rolled and pitched a lot. Didn’t feel sick, just couldn’t sleep.