Our week on the MV Theory finished on Sunday, May 22nd, but we had an action-packed last few days. Every day we had a morning walk, followed by a snorkelling expedition, and then a further hike or dingy cruise to a unexplored shore.
Perhaps the most enchanting was our visit to tiny Rabida island on Friday, which lies south of Santiago Island. It has a brownish red sand, that is caused by its high iron content, and leaves a distinct colour on your feet. The seals loved to sunbathe and sleep on it, and behind this beach was a salt lagoon with nine pink flamingos. Most wonderful of all was that there were at least three nests - not seen for at least 20 years according to our guides who were just as thrilled to see them. Apparently the after effects of El Niño can take years to resolve, and the flamingos are finally back.
On Saturday morning we were on Santa Cruz island, and we disembarked to visit the giant tortoise sanctuary where we saw a number of these large brutes, some over 150 years old.
On Saturday evening, we engaged in an Ecuadorian themed evening, and everyone got into the mood. We had dancers, musicians, drinks, dinner and general merry-making that made our last night in the Galapagos Islands a very special one.
On Sunday we disembarked for the last time. It was an amazing eight days and seven nights aboard the MV Theory, and a week that will live long in our memories.