First day on Galapagos Islands, back in the water snorkeling with seals

Sowell Family's Travels on Gijima
Skipper: Tim Sowell Admiral Tracy Crew Sean & Alex
Sat 10 Jul 2010 18:50
Location Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) (1:20.1451S 89:51.889W)
As we bounced out of the low cloud cover the green/ blue sea unfolded
beneath us and a number of dry islands appeared. We came in low over the
turquoise water looking like we would land on water, and just hit the end of
the runway on the island San Cristobal, and had landed on another
destination I had on my "Bucket List", the place Darwin had used to define
the evolution of life.
We had landed on one of the eastern/ southern islands which makes it one of
the oldest islands. Remembering these islands are formed by a hole in the
crust that creates a volcano and a surrounding island, with the plate moving
2 inches a year these islands are moving.
We caught the dinghy out to the blue M/V Santa Cruz boat our home for the
next 4 days along with 60 others, mostly young Canadians, we have two twin
cabins so Tracy and Alex in one, and Sean and I in the other.
The first afternoon we jumped in a dinghy and we landed on the white beach,
passing over the rays, with black lava rock on each side. Sean and I jumped
into the water with snorkels etc, the water is very cold, but clear, we went
in and saw fish, and seals. It was nice to be back in the water after 3
months, searching through the rocks, Sean did well.
Alex was chasing the seals, (which don't move so he can walk up to them,
with frigate birds flying above.
After an evening been a bit rolly we moved on to the oldest island, Espania
we went ashore to see seals, iguanas, nd the birds. We had a 3 hour walk
early morning, it was great watching Alex differentiate between Blue Footed
Boobies and Albatrosses. We are luck to see Albatrosses with babies sitting
on cliffs as we walked past, Sean was able to do his maths today by counting
albatrosses, to see them so big and even flying over our heads, with their 8
feet wing span, just gliding and riding the winds, just amazing.
To wander the paths, with the animals just getting on with their lives, not
really take any notice of us, you have to watch that you do not step on the
animals lying on the paths. The boys grew in confidence identifying animals,
birds etc, it was great to see. Now we under way to the next island 3 hours
away, for snorkeling, and glass bottom boats.

Stay tuned