The voyage was a bit rough during the early morning but nothing too bad. Mike’s camera fell off the shelf, which didn’t do the zoom any good. It seems to be sticking today. It was a bit noisy when the anchor came up and the engines began but you get used to it. It was also a bit hot without the aircon and very cold with. Will try and get another blanket for tonight.

The shower is surprisingly good. You have to conserve water but at least there is plenty to wash off the soap and shampoo.

Breakfast was at 7am. Sausage and tomato casserole, hard boiled egg, and cassava pancake thing plus cereals and fruit, toast, ham and cheeses. Plenty of choices for everyone.

Soon after breakfast we went by panga (zodiacs) to this small beach where we had to disembark into the water. It wasn’t that cold. Then on with the shoes and we had a 2 hour slow walk around part of the island where we saw loads of sea lions, lava lizards,

land and marine iguanas,

frigate birds,

hawks, Galápagos doves, fabulous cacti, some pelicans, a locust and a scorpion.

The cacti grow slowly and eventually the spines fall off the trunk so it is quite smooth and woody. Then the fleshy, spines branches are at the top. It’s apparently an adaptation to protect the cactus from iguanas as they can’t climb the smooth trunks. Instead they, and the tortoises wait on the ground for the wind or birds to blow down the fruits (called tuna).

It was fascinating and great that you can get so close.

On the way back to the boat we saw a white tipped shark in the shallows and many playful sea lions.

Then it was another voyage to some more islands. We had up to 12 frigates on the roof hitching a ride. They are really quite big. The males have a red wattle like a turkey and the females are white breasted. They poop everywhere and fly very, very close to your head. They have a big wingspan and it’s a bit unsettling having something so large flying around.

Lunch was cooked and very nice but much more filling than necessary. I think it was soup, then squid rings a veal casserole, salad and fruits.

After siesta 2.30) we went by zodiac to a new island and had a slow walk in amongst numerous sea lions, marine and land iguanas and birds of every variety including Boobies.

Crabs

This afternoon it was blue footed Boobies. Their plumage is a dull brown but they have wonderful teal blue legs and feet. I can’t find any good photos of these Boobies.

The island was covered in a low growing red succulent that turns bright green in the summer/rainy season and more of the prickly pear cacti. It was quite stunning.

On returning to the boat we had a welcome drink and sandwiches (afternoon tea – I managed to pass on the sandwiches) and then our briefing meeting for tomorrow. We have another long voyage this evening and cross the equator at about 11pm.

Dinner was a baked tuna dish with a yummy sauce, ham steaks, rice, salads and some milk custard thing for dessert. Early to bed! I am hoping we’ve sorted out the aircon so won’t freeze. So far so good.