I was really looking forward to this trip. I have always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands as I’ve heard so much about it but it was too expensive. Finally found a tour company that I thought were reasonable so booked up before they changed their prices.
Now I know why. I was picked up in Quito airport by a man who didn’t speak any English so couldn’t answer any of my questions. He took me to the hotel and left. I checked in and waited for the tour guide but no one appeared. I looked for the information sheet that is always in reception but nothing there. So I had no clue as to when to leave for the airport to get to the islands. I kind of guessed to get up for a 7am departure but no one came to pick me up. Eventually someone knocked on my door and said airport so I went with them. Got to the airport and checked in and was told that I had missed the flight as my flight was at 7am. That was it, I burst into tears thinking that’s the end of my xmas hols as I will have to spend it in a crummy hotel in Quito for 2 weeks. I was left at the airport with no itinerary, tickets or contact name to sort things out. Luckily a lady approached me and asked me what was wrong and I told her. She suddenly said my name and asked me why I was late. Well that’s when I went mental and told her what had happened. It all ended well as she managed to get me onto the next plane out and said the boat would be there to wait for me. I found out that the boat actually leaves after lunch at 2pm so no need to rush after all. The captain of the boat picked me and I was just in time for lunch. I also found out that my original boat had sunk on 13th September. Nobody from the travel company bothered to let me know or even give me any information. No wonder it was bloody cheap. Apart from the debacle at the beginning of the trip I really had a blast on the cruise. I saw animals that I never knew existed, weird and wonderful creatures only found in the Galapagos. I witnessed 2 large land lizards fighting by head butting each other until they bled. I saw rocks covered in lizards, nearly stepping on them there were so many and so close. I saw beautiful seal cubs.
On this trip I learned to snorkel for the first time. The crew were fantastic, they taught me well and really looked after me. My first time snorkeling was off the beach just to get practice and used to the water. I was minding my own business learning to breath through the snorkel when I heard an almighty roar. I stopped and turned to my right and saw a huge male seal swimming next to me. I was so shocked I forgot to breathe and nearly choked. I got out of the water so quickly…it’s so hard to get out when you’re wearing flippers. One of the crew said that it was alright as most of the animals swim close to you and leave you alone. I don’t mind if they were small and cute but this thing was huge and I really did not want it to think that I was one of his playthings. Eventually I became more comfortable in the sea and didn’t mind what was swimming near me whether it was turtles or seals, they were all cute and playful in the water…except for a very wrinkly old man I came across that frightened the crap out of me. He was so gross as his skin was just flapping/floating in the water.
On one of the main islands while doing another tour we spotted a giant tortoise by the side of the road. We got out to take pictures and while we did this we noticed that the tortoise was kind of attached to a fence nearby and there was something around it’s neck. Some of the islands are farmlands and farmers put barbed wire fences to protect their stock. Unfortunately the giant tortoises sort of wander aimlessly foraging for food and when they do come across barbed wire just walks right through them. Luckily for this guy we were passing and luckily we had some bolt cutters in the bus. The guide cut the wire to the fence so it was easier to manouver a smaller length of wire around the tortoise’s neck and we saved him. He had a few cuts but all in all was a happy chappy to be able to move again, no matter how slow, without being garroted.
This was one of my most memorable trips for wildlife and I think my favourite bird now is the blue footed booby. I was quite amazed and surprised as how close the animals let you get, they just ignored us and went about their business. Fantastic!
