Quito to the Galapagos Islands - May 20, 2017

No breakfast this morning, we are leaving long before the breakfast service starts. There was a little something in the way of coffee, tea and rolls off the lobby. Just as we are told, we can rest (sleep) when get back to the states. Tired Linda.



As with Machu Picchu and the Amazon, we taking smaller bags for this part of the trip, leaving the big bags behind at the hotel. By the time the trip is over we will have stayed in this hotel a total of three times, two nights twice and one night once.



There is a special entrance to the security area for passengers going to the Galapagos.



Everything going to the Galapagos goes through a special screening process to make sure only items permitted to be taken to the Islands are in your luggage. Then a plastic seal is attached to the bag to show it has been checked.



The seal on my bag.




Linda is really, truly, actually going to the Galapagos. Very excited and happy Linda.



Saying goodbye to the Andes, see you again next week when we return to Quito.



When the flight stopped in Guayaquil before going on the the Galapagos, look who boarded, our guide, Jessica. She’s a person whose spring is always wound tight. Or stating it another way, her battery is always fully charged. The huge smile says it all.



First sighting. It looks barren, I don’t see tortoises, iguanas or sea lions. Hope we see some before we have to leave. Delusional Bob.

 

We have really arrived.



A highly trained inspector checks out all the luggage.



First real view of water after being bussed from the airport. I knew then we were going to like the Galapagos. From here we took a ferry across the strait then another bus ride to the port where we boarded our boat that would be our home for the next eight nights.

There are several islands that have been settled and developed by that non-indigenous species, homo sapiens. One of the things that caught my eye was the fence posts. They cut down a tree, cut in into lengths and bury the posts in the ground. Then the posts sprout leaves and grow. I know I took far better photos at the end of the trip, but this one will have to do for now.



Our first stop was at woodcarvers studio. He is self taught, uses non-indigenous trees for his wood, and carves animals native to the Islands, with tortoises being a specialty.

Woodcarvers apprentice.



Having fun after carving a tortoise. Not. Not carving a tortoise that is. Happy Linda.



The detail is amazing and he does these on a series of disk sanders with different grits of sandpaper.







What can I say. I am really enjoying taking photos of street scenes.



We all know who took this one. The family foot fetish female.



Heading of to our boat.



Boat ho. The Galaxy II.  At least I think that is what one says in this situation.

Disembarking from the panga.




Our berth.



The passengers mess.



The libratory. For you non-nautical types, that’s the place libations are served aboard sea going vessels. Befuddled Bob.



Bob, the seagoing videographer.



Look, I have no idea of what it was either, other than a bird. It was my first one on the Galapagos and because that makes it an historic photo, I needed to preserve it. And don’t worry, I took lots worse ones as the trip went on that you hopefully won’t see. Just to let the cat out of the bag, the photo is of a Frigate Bird, one of dozens and dozens we saw during the week. Sorry for misleading many of you, but she who proofs my meandering musings informed me that was what it is. Birder Nonous Bob.



Disembarking from a panga takes getting used to. Think of this as a Linda baby step. Or better yet, Linda tip toeing ashore. Brilliant Bob.



The first time it is exciting, by the tenth time it is old hat. By the twentieth time you don’t even notice it. Unless you are “Look, there’s a sea lion,” Linda that is. Maybe they are the Galapagos equal to pigeons in a city park.



Our first of many lava lizards.



Cactus tree. No kidding. Prickly pears grow into trees in the Galapagos.



Another Lava lizard, the second of dozens of lava lizard photos taken by the Lava Lizard lover.



Lava Lizard Lover Linda doing her thing.




South end of a giant tortoise heading north.




One of my better photos.



Why Spanish barking Bandido was placed for adoption at Cinderella after being deported from the Galapagos.



Ms. Eveready laughing at Mr. “I Don’t need no Umbrella, It isn’t going to rain today, as it begins to rain.”



The only land iguana we ever saw. It’s called a Santa Fe iguana. Sure wish they had deported Bandido earlier so there would have been more left.



It occurs to me that I haven’t posted a photo of my new camera setup. The camera is a Pentax KP with 18-135 and 55-300 lenses,  the hip holster is the Cotton Carrier Endeavour system and the backpack is a Lowepro Hatchback 16. My many hours of research paid off and it all worked together perfectly. Not shown is my Sony point and shoot I carried on my other hip and the Sony Action Cam I had in a shirt pocket. During the trip i got good at using two of the three at the same time, not something that was easy, but you know how photographer s are. Anything to get the photo. In Over His Head Bob.



The rain caused their shells to glisten.



Darned things are all over the place. Where’s Bandido when you need him. Just kidding Roger, just kidding.




Kicking back and relaxing the traditional at the 5 o’clock hour.



Everybody was soon joining us.



Colorful bar.




Almost home.



Shore shoes come off when you board the boat.



The end of our first day in the Galapagos.