Galapagos, Peurto Egas Island

Day 3 Tuesday October 5

Had a great sleep. Up at 6:30 for breakfast. Then we boarded the zodiacs for another wet landing, this time on Puerto Egas. We went for a hike through some vegetation to get to another rocky basalt coastline with crashing waves. Saw sealions, fur seals and lots and lots of marina iguanas. Really amazing, it felt primordial.

Left the island and set sail for the next destination. The seas are very rough and we are all settled in different places around the ship, some in their rooms, some around the sitting areas of the boat and some just laying around.

Ship stopped for lunch, so it was less rough. After a break, we did another wet landing on a different red sand beach on Rabida Island, where lots of sealions were sleeping. Went for a hike up a small hill to a couple of lookouts where we could admire the views and the colours of the beaches and the ocean. Watched a group of blue footed boobies diving in the water for fish.

Some of us snorkelled off the beach. I’m the only one who doesn’t use a wet suit. Saw lots of beautiful fish right along the rocky shoreline and swam with a school of millions of small fish. Swimming back to the beach there was a strong current. Saw a chocolate chip starfish, a good sized sting ray and a marine iguana feeding underwater!

Back to the ship and we set sail again towards Santa Cruz Island. Long, rough ride. Harvey looked at my computer and found a work around ACDC which doesn’t work properly. He loaded up his underwater photos for me. The weather is cool and the wind is strong and chilly, so most of us sat inside. Some people weren’t feeling well, but no one was really sick. Sailed for five hours. Had dinner and then most people went to their rooms. I knew I wouldn’t sleep with the rolling and pitching, so I got my iPod and sat on the aft deck and listened to a bunch of great songs and watched the rolling ocean.

We docked in Santa Cruz harbour at 9:30 and I hit the sack. Slept well.