The Galapagos, day three.

Today we started the day with several cups of Galapagos coffee (probably the farthest thing from Nescafe I will find in Ecuador, really very good) and as usual a huge and tasty breakfast of yuca pancakes and fruit.

half of the breakfast nook

We headed out to Five Fingers Rock where we circled around blue footed boobies and nazca boobies for photo ops.

foot blue foot

Next up was Isla Lobos where we made a perfectly legal (ha!) stop to snorkel with a bunch of sea lions. They were quite playful and came right up to us.

you shall not pass!

Also lots of beautiful tropical fish... Stayed there about 45 minutes. At the next stop (Kicker Rock) half of us circled the rocks from the boat and saw "Lonesome Georgina" (a lone marine iguana a long way from home), dozens of frigatebirds swooping in the sky, and the Galapagos shearwater and Elliot's storm petrel.

aka Leon Dormido

fly, my pretties, fly!

Lonesome Georgina

The other half of our group braved the cold and crazy current in an attempt to find sharks... (They had no luck so I was glad I stayed safe and dry. The crazy Manta current was too fresh in my mind, Galapagos or not.) They did see sea turtles and a spotted eagle ray, though.

Our final stop was Puerto Grande for more snorkeling and more sea turtle sightings (that I didn't see, meh!! note to self, stick to guide like glue). I did see a really cool eel and tons of tropical fish including masses of yellow tailed surgeon fish.

Then it was back to Puerto Bagerizo Moreno and Cat for a great ceviche lunch and some rest. That afternoon we spent some time in town wandering around and hanging with the local sea lions. They had their park benches staked out just like people would, and God help you if you got in their way. Quite funny.

coulda been yawning or snarling

sleepytime

I was surprised to see a naval base here. It seems that they are the local police of everything, from fishing licenses to conservation to traffic enforcement. Good, now we know who to avoid during our "perfectly legal" landings...

this is not a naval base

also not a naval base

Skipped stargazing since we were staying at the port and all the lights detracted. Instead I unintentionally fell asleep at 8:30pm and slept until 5am.

I'd call that a good day.

pier at San Cristobal island

Absurd cosa de dias: eating Oreo cookies while watching a blue footed booby.