Entry formalities and dramas dealt with it was time to get on and see what the island of San Cristobal had to offer.  First up though, a get together with all the others in the anchorage with a mass meet ashore.  It was great to catch up with the Americans on Field Trip, Australians on Remi De, Moana Roa, Southern Cross, Ooroo and Brits on Zulu and Adeane – most of whom we’d met in Shelter Bay or somewhere else in the Caribbean.

 

Yesterday we went snorkelling along the rocks and had a couple of inquisitive and friendly sea lions come and play with us.  They are quite fearless (as are all the animals in the Galapagos) and swam right up to our masks and blew bubbles in our faces before darting away, twisting and turning and performing some wonderful aquabatics for our benefit.  Mum was keeping a wary eye on all of this from the rocks so we didn’t get too close to her.  Watching over all of this was a lovely blue footed boobie.

 

This morning we hiked to Los Loberios, a bay on the south side of Cristobal which is a haven for the marine iguana.  We saw loads and then snorkelled with the giant turtles that come in to feed at low tide.  We’ve snorkelled with turtles before but never been able to get so close – we swam alongside these guys and they weren’t fazed at all.

 

Tomorrow we’re doing an island tour and next week head off for a five day tour of the other islands.