Machu Picchu - Galapagos - October 1 thru 5, 2025

October 1 through October 5, 2025

The Galapagos Islands have been inhabited since the 1500’s, mostly by travelers and pirates (Yarrr!). In the 1860’s Charles Darwin made his trip to the Galapagos Islands and developed his theory of evolution, which in part states that animals will tend to adapt to their environment. For example the Galapagos tortoise developed a taller neck opening in their shells to allow them to better reach low hanging fruit that their other tortoise cousins would not be able to reach.

Our first day in Galapagos started with our arrival at the airport. There are two main airports in Galapagos. One in their capital city of San Cristobal, surprisingly called San Cristobal Galapagos airport. We flew into the Seymour Galapagos airport on the island of Baltra. Once we landed we disembarked and after climbing down a flight of stairs walked across the tarmac at the airport to the terminal. We then waited for luggage to be brought into the airport. Once it was in the airport the Baltra security force brought out their K-9 unit to check for drugs or other contraband. The dog was a German Shepherd who walked around, through, and all over all the bags and luggage. When the K-9 unit had finished their search they left and we were able to retrieve our luggage, only to turn it over to the cruise line to haul to the ship.

The ship was anchored in the bay. This meant that all the customers, crew, luggage, and supplies had to be hauled to the ship. This was done on their zodiacs. It was interesting to watch. I would guess that it would take a long time and many trips to bring all the supplies, food, and drink onto the ship. They could get about twelve to fifteen people on each zodiac. So it took four or more trips just to get the passengers aboard.

As soon as all were aboard we were allowed to find our state rooms where we could drop all our carry on luggage. Our checked bags would be brought to our state rooms later. We then gathered in the lounge for a brief meet and greet followed by the mandatory abandon ship drill. A trip onto one of the weather decks was also included so we could find the life boats. This is a requirement for all ocean going vessels … just in case.

Once this meeting was finished we were invited to explore the ship to get to know the general layout. After about 15 more minutes lunch would be ready. It seemed that we were always eating!!!

After lunch there was an opportunity to enjoy a walk on the beach and / or a quick snorkel in the bay.

Gigi chose to do the snorkel and walk. The water was cold, about 68 degrees. She got to see lots of fishes.

I chose to stay on the ship as I was trying to get over a GI issue I was experiencing. Instead of Montezuma’s Revenge I named it the Incan Revenge. I don’t recommend it to anyone.

The next day was better. We had moved on to a different island. We were given the opportunity to snorkel again so we both donned our swimsuits and wet suits and took a zodiac ride where we were going to snorkel. Once our facemasks and fins were on we turned to the outside and slipped into the water. The water had not warmed up any from the day before and still hovered around 68 degrees. But after about 30 seconds the water that had seeped into the wet suit warmed up enough to make the swim tolerable.

We got to see many fishes. There were also green sea turtles. One thing that surprised us was the sea lions. They were nestled along the rocks and in the water. They didn’t seem to mind us being there. In fact they joined right in for a swim as well. They swam all around us. One even swam right up face-to-face with Gigi. I think it surprised her.

Upon our return we had time to clean up and go to lunch. Yes, eating again.

The next day would lead us to yet another island with an opportunity to go on a hike. This was to be a “wet landing”. This meant that the zodiac that was to deliver us to the island would not go aground but instead would stop a foot or two short of being out of the water. You would have to swing your legs over the side and wade through about six to ten inches of water onto the shore. There you could put your shoes on and begin the hike. There were a lot of sea lions lying in the sand waiting to greet us. Other than curious glances they paid no attention to us. Most of them were too busy sleeping.

During the hike we saw many more birds and went to see what the plant life on Galapagos was like. Most of the plants were slender and small. The trees were also small, being no bigger than fifteen to twenty feet tall. Most were also barren of leaves. The Galapagos Islands do not have four seasons like we do at home but they do have a dry season and a rainy season. During the dry season the trees shed their leaves. The leaves return during the rainy season.

We ended our hike on a different beach. Once again we were met by curious sea lions. They would look up at us and once again turn back over and return to their naps.

The Galapagos Islands were formed from volcanoes. In a recent eruption one of the volcanoes had an eruption where the lava flow was more horizontal as opposed to an eruption from the top of the volcano. This happened sometime between 1864 and 1957. No one knows for sure as this island is uninhabited (except by pirates … Yarrr!).

One of our hikes was across the black lava field. The terrain was rough and coarse. There were many different pattern types that were formed as the lava flowed and subsequently cooled. Since the island is mostly covered with lava there are very, very few plants, reptiles, or birds. We did manage to see a lava lizard and the tail of a snake, but we did not get an opportunity to take a photo of the snake as he was too quick to hide in the rocks. The half of the island that wasn’t covered with lava had a lot of pumice rocks and a little more vegetation.

Our next excursion took us on a zodiac that had a glass bottom. We saw a lot of sea stars and fishes. We even saw a couple of white tipped reef sharks. We all stayed in the zodiac!!!! At one point we went close to the shoreline where a Galapagos hawk was hanging out. It was cool to watch.

Our last excursion prior to leaving the ship was a hike up the Prince Phillip Steps. Prince Phillip was Queen Elizabeth of England’s husband. There were some ninety steps to the top of the island that the crew dubbed ‘Hitchcock Island’ because of the number of birds. The entire island is an extinct volcano crater in which one side had collapsed which allowed the crater to fill with sea water. The crater was large enough that the ship had no trouble sailing into or navigating around the crater.

There were a variety of birds, including friggates and gulls. At one point we stopped to try to see a Galapagos Owl. This owl stands about twelve inches tall, nests on the ground, and hunts during the day. No one in our group could find the owl. But alas! Bearpaw was able to find one. Once it was told where to look the rest of the group could find it as well. He was well enough camouflaged that you could only spot him when he moved, which was not often. As we were leaving we spotted a pelican that was resting on a rock.

Birds in a tree

Swallow tailed gull

Galapagos owl

Galapagos mockingbird

Galapagos penguin

Galapagos dove

Frigate bird

Nasca boobie

Blue footed boobie

Red footed boobie

Sandal footed boobies

The next morning we left the ship. On the way to the airport, which included one zodiac ride, three bus rides, and one ferry boat ride, we stopped to see some giant Galapagos Tortoises. They were HUGE! They didn’t move very fast and they would look at you as long as you didn’t move fast either. If you did, they withdrew into their shells. So you had to move slowly around them. I think I could beat them in a race.