We have now been in the Galápagos Islands for five nights, and cruised to six different islands in that time. We started at Genovesa, then on to Santa Cruz, followed by Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago, and now tiny Rabida. We have crisscrossed the equator six times in those five days.
Each island has its own unique characteristics and wildlife. We have gone trekking every day, as well as snorkelling in the chilly sea. There has been the opportunity to go kayaking and paddle boarding as well.
The abundance of birds, lizards and sea lions is wonderful, and every day brings a new dimension to our journey. The hundreds of marine iguanas basking in the morning sun, before each one ambled off into the rocky surf was a real highlight. We have paddled into pristine mangrove swamps followed by curious sea lions to see green turtles, Galapagos penguins, and fleets for cow-nosed golden rays. Massive land tortoises slowly stomping down the paths, or into the brush, intent on their journey. Blue-footed boobies clinging onto cliff edges, before pencil diving into the sea for their supper.
If you aren’t smiling at the wonder of it all, you are open-mouthed and agog by what is in front of you. Everyone has probably taken hundreds of photos, but hardly any are wasted as there is something new and exciting in front of us on every step. Indeed, very few of these photos are magnified, we are genuinely this close to these creatures.
It’s worth noting as well that the Islands are well looked after by the Parque Nacional & Reserva Marina Galapagos. There are clearly defined areas into which we are allowed to go, and not every island is accessible to tourists. You are strictly forbidden to touch anything, or take anything off of the beach. The number of boats is limited, but there are still something in the region of 180,000 visitors to the Galápagos Islands every year. The pressure to expand the number of tourists is always there, but it feels well controlled and managed at present.
We have two more nights here before its back to the real world.