Baltra to Guayaquil: and home final thoughts :

Baltra to Guayaquil: and home final thoughts :

Up early on the ship to get luggage out and then breakfast and lounge time. In the lounge we viewed a PBS video with Alan Alda chronicling his visit to the Galapagos. 

Once we knew our flight would not be late we were off the ship via zodiac to shore where a bus took us to the aeropuerto. Our luggage had been group check and we were given our boarding passes and claim tickets. Nat Geo had arranged to let us use the VIP lounge. Nice snacks and seating area. Also a shop for last minute shopping. 

Flight to Guayaquil was uneventful. After gathering our luggage we boarded a bus to the Hilton Colon. 

My power supply for the laptop had died so we went in search of a new one. There was a mall close to the hotel (5 min walk). Here we found a radio shack and a power supply. Next we went to the grocery store in the mall to find some local jelly. Guava seemed the most interesting to us. The to the food court, where we found a sandwich shop. We had a Cuban sandwich and Inca Cola. We met a gentleman who had been a guide for Lindblad. We had a pleasant conversation as we  to ate our sandwich. Then ice cream from a local shop. On the walk back I had an ear of corn from a street vendor. Large kernels with butter and parmesan cheese. 

Back at the hotel we we went for a swim, then had a drink at the bar, then snacks in our room and bed as it was going to be an early wake up. 

December 15 we were up early 0400 to start the trip home. 

Final thoughts on the Galapagos: 

1. I have seen an eco system that is 98% original and functioning rather well. To have walked amongst endemic species in their environment where they are unafraid of man gives one a feeling which can not be described, only experienced. 

1. We, as people, need to be very considerate of our mother earth. If we mess with her too much we are heading for disaster. 

1. Each day of this trip was amazing. Each day was different. Each hour was different.  We experienced so much of the natural world, I can not comprehend all we experienced. 

1. It is an amazing natural world out there.  The more I experience the more I am in awe. 

1. There is so much to see, to do, to learn, and just enjoy. 

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!!!!!!

Genovesa with lots and I mean lots of Red Footed Boobies

Genovesa

Early Morning Kayak - shearwaters, nazca, blue footed and red footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, tropic birds, all fun. 

After breakfast we go ashore at Darwin Bay. Here in a very compact area we find many many many Red Footed Boobies (the only boobies that can nest in trees). Here we also find sea lions, iguanas, a cactus finch, Nazca Boobies, Swallow Tail Gulls on the beach and in the Red Mangroves.

Back to the boat to prepare for snorkeling.  Water was warmer than it has been.  Moorish Idols here, very large parrot fish, we were called out of the water before we were ready to leave. 

After Lunch we do a dry landing on the Prince Phillip’s Steps. Here our goal is to find the Galapagos Short Eared Owl. It is rather windy and this may hamper our search. Yet we do find a few of these owls in various locations sheltered on the lee side of the rocks. On the zodiac trip back, we found the Galapagos Fur Seal (really another species of sea lion) on the rocks.

We return to the ship for a farewell cocktail party and dinner. 

We pack up and get ready to disembark in the morning. 

It has been an amazing trip.