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A couple of the famed Galápagos blue-footed boobies; like most creatures here, they are naively unafraid of humans. |
Decades ago I visited the Galápagos Islands on a little budget catamaran with a dozen people. But this year I decided to return when I got a good price on a nice Silversea cruise (with 90 other guests this time).
This time: Far better ship and better food, but once again had outstanding snorkeling, good fellow passengers, pleasant weather, and fascinating, fearless animals.
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With Canadians Annelie and Ettiene at my favorite beach:
Bahia Gardner Beach on the island of Española. |
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Blue-footed Boobies; red-footed boobie; and swallow-tail gull with chick |
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Male Galápagos Magnificent Frigates puff up their chest to attract a mate. |
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A Galápagos hawk and an unafraid baby sea lion exchange glances. |
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It was not exactly mating season but that did not stop a few couples. |
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The giant tortoises were a prehistoric sight to behold, especially when "racing" to lunch. |
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Speaking of prehistoric, iguana look like mini-dinosaurs too.
Top left shows a tourist's feet to help you gauge the reptile's size.
Golden land iguana looked less demonic than the black
(sometimes reddish and green) marine iguana. |
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Loved the bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs
(seriously, that is their official name). |
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Snorkeling with sea lions is a blast but can be unnerving when one suddenly races past you just inches away. |
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Our Zodiac transport from ship to shore. |
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Exceptional Ecuadorian naturalists were outstanding guides;
with Christian (top); and with great fellow travelers Joe and Louisa (bottom) |
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Spent a few days in Quito before flying on to the islands. Quito's colonial old town is enormous with outstanding restaurants, dramatic streets, and of course grand Catholic churches. |
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Thoroughly enjoyed the return to these islands. |
Wonderful week cruising around the Galápagos once again and enjoyed the extra days exploring Quito. It did seem as if the endemic animals were slightly less plentiful than I recalled from my previous visit but we still got to see most of the famous creatures.
Although Ecuador has made a serious effort to be a good steward of its treasure, the population in Santa Cruz and San Cristobal has soared. And, not surprisingly, the islands also had quite a few more tourists than I encountered in the 1980s. But then, as Sir David Attenborough once said, "Without tourism, the Galápagos would not exist."