After another walk on Santa Cruz, to visit Las Gremelos, we decided to take a day tour to the neighbouring island of Isabela.  Santa Cruz is the most populated island, and we wanted to get away from the town, and most importantly, to see Blue Footed Boobies.

Los Gremelos, canyons filled with a mixture of fresh and salt water, where you can swim.  The water was ‘refreshing’

The view from the top of Los Gremelos – rocks, cactus and dry scrub is the typical landscape on the coastal fringes

We went to Isabela in a fast motor boat – 2 hours either way being bounced over every wave.  We were happy to be back on ‘Serenity’

Flamingoes are not unique to the Galapagos, but this group was part of a population of only 200 in the islands

This chap is endemic – the Galapagos Penguin is the most northerly Penguin species.

Giant Tortoises really are ugly

As are Marine Iguanas.  They really blend well into the lava rock.

The white sand beaches and turquoise sea make a contrast to the black volcanic rock

Spot the Sea Lion

And Blue Footed Boobies really do have blue feet.

Back in Santa Cruz the natives are still doing what they do best

We are now preparing for our next passage – the 3000 miles to Hiva Oa in the Marqueses. We should get our outward clearance Zarpe this afternoon and hope to start tomorrow.  Its difficult to predict the time it will take as you can get calms on this passage, but it will probably be in the region of 25-30 days.