Holidays seem to be hard work, up at 5.30 to spot some birds in the highlands of Quito. We travelled by bus to a national park with a fantastic view of the highest active volcano. On the way and on the way back we managed to spot condors flying. Once we managed seven at the same time. In all there are 100 Condors in Ecuador, so we must have seen 10% of them.

We saw all hinds of other birds including the giant humming bird. Back to the hotel and beers and dinner in the restaurant.

Rosemary went to a traditional craft market, where she bought some water bottle holders and scarves.

During the night we crossed the equator on our way to Tower Island in the Galapgos. We arrived in the early hours of the morning. I heard the anchor being dropped. Tower island is the top of a volcano, with one side collapsed so boats can enter. It is deep at 250 meters, and the sides are shear. It does not rise far above ground. The boats anchor near the beach where the water is shallower. We were up at 6.00 for our walk. The Panga took us to the far tip of the flooded volcano, where we climbed some steps. Amazing view of the sea birds sitting around. Alas unable to take any pictures, usual problem of the camera lens being steamed up. As we moved off, the lens cleared and I was able to take a few pictures of Red Footed Boobies. Rosemary spotted a Short Eared Owl in a crevasse, was able to get some reasonable pictures of it.

Stormy Petrels were flying up and down the coast. I could see thousands upon thousands. It is estimated a million live here. We did not get close to these birds.

Male Frigate-birds were displaying their red pouches looking for females. Several even flew with their inflated pouches, a risky business in windy conditions, often resulting in aviation disasters. Lots of single chicks were being reared by their parents.

Our last finch was spotted. Rather elusive, so some rather poor photo shots of the Sharp Beaked Ground Finch.

Back on board, we changed quickly for swimming. Pangas taken out to the steps which we had earlier climbed. We swam along the cliffs, I kept in close because there seemed to be little to see in the depths. On the cliff walls there were some lovely sea anonemes and urchins. Some white tipped sharks were spotted. No sea lions, but fur seals instead.

Back at the boat for lunch, and a snooze.

After noon was meant to be a trip on to shore and or some swimming. Instead we elected for a quick swim off the sailing boat and then to motor back to the airport island. A Sea Lion appeared for the swim, though it studiously kept clear of me. Other tourists were rather more lucky. Early on in the trip, before the sun set, we were able to watch a school of Dolphins swim by. There could have been at least 50 and there were jumping. We followed them for quite a long time, even heading back from where we had come from.

We were on the deck for the sen set, have some pictures of the sun going down over the sea. Not a particularly spectacular set, but clear so you could see the green flash as the sun disappeared below the horizon. Lorraine reckons she has the flash on her pictures. The Southern Cross, Orion’s belt and the Plough were in view.

After sunset we crossed the equator and had a celebratory cocktail with the crew, and stood in the captains bridge and photographed the GPS as it made zero.

Supper bell rang and we had our final good meal, well expect for tomorrows breakfast.

The boat weighed anchor shortly after supper and the briefing. On deck we had a good view of the stars, but the Southern Cross was too low to be seen through the haze. A Swallow tailed gull, looking like a ghost followed us across the Pacific to Floreana Island.

In the morning we were anchored off Champion Island. An early start and onto the Pangas before sunrise at 6.00 am so we could see the Charles Mocking bird, found only on Champion Island. This version of the mocking bird is almost extinct.

Back to the Cachalote for breakfast at 7.00 and a wet landing at Cormorant point on the island of Floreana. Here we walked along a black path made of volcanic ash. The low cliffs were also very crumbly volcanic ash. On the beach were two different species of Herons, very obliging had their photographs taken. Walked to a lake where there was a lonely Flamingo. The flamingos are unable to breed due to the rat problem. The rats suck the contents of the eggs out. Was also explained how during the Turtle hatching day, (full moon) the park wardens have to throw nets over the hatched turtles to catch the rats who arrive at the same time as the hatching takes place.

Walked further on to a white beach, here we waded into the water taking Care not to tread on top of the rays. A couple of rays in the shallow water brushed up against my feet. Same time there was a small shark in the water.

Back to the first beach to clamber on board the Pangas and photo opportunity of a couple of penguins. The only penguin species who breeds naturally both North and South of the equator. They are also the second smallest penguin breed, smallest living in Australia, Selina paid this a visit this year.

Snorkelling was off Cormorant Point at the Devils Crown, an old flooded volcano. Here we saw a huge Sting Ray, sharks, usual fish, and I was with feet of Sea Lions swimming. Best Snorkelling of the week so far, clear water.

Back on two the boat to Velasca Ibarra Port. On the way we stopped at Post Office Bay to leave a post card, and picked up a couple of cards for delivery. One was to a doctor at Gonville and Caius collage, Cambridge, and the other to Sawsteon hall in Bury St Edmunds. On the boat again for lunch, soup, then beans, salad and Tuna steaks. We finished off with fruit salad and coffee.

Here we took a bus lorry up to the highlands, on the way it started to rain, but finished in the 30 minute drive up the hill. At the top we saw a place where they where there was a large enclosure for tortoises. These were from many different islands and had successfully hybridised. The park were going to try a test reintroduction of male only tortoises to see the effect on the plant life. A whimbrel was spotted, but no crates.

The return trip was on top of the bus/lorry, which I have videoed. Back on the boat for a couple of beers on deck and then the supper of chicken escalope, potatoes, diced carrots and lettuce.

Boat set sail as soon as dinner was over for a 6 hour trip, we will be up at 6 for breakfast and then an early morning walk. Hopefully some sailing tomorrow as well.

Highlights of the day were the snorkelling, the penguins, I have a picture of one swimming under water minus his head, and also the walking amongst rays on the beach.
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7 breakfast. Cerro Brujo
8 panga ride

Took a panga ride along the base of the cliffs, and through a tunnel in the cliffs. Few sea birds, but also geological aspects to the ride. Able to see a lava fissure in the cliff wall.

Back to the white sandy beach for a walk. On there there were loads of Sally crabs, interesting to watching them jump from rock to rock. They did not appear to want to get their feet wet, and would rather jump over a foot to another rock. Alas failed to photograph them doing this, should have used the video.

I was more successful in getting diving pictures of sea birds fishing. Interesting to see 5 mm round balls of sand on the beach, this was from the crabs rolling up sand looking for food to eat in the sand. Good picture of Marine Iguanas strolling the beach leaving behind their unmistakable trail.

On the same beach we had some snorkelling, visibility not so good, but fun all the same. Back to boat for lunch, and the boat trip to the port. Here we took the bus up to the el Junca lagoon. Spotted some dragon flies, something called a saddle back. The lagoon is fresh water and is permanently full as the hole is well sealed from leaking despite being in a volcano cone. The water around the lagoon is about 1 kilometre.

From the lagoon we continued on to the tortoise breeding centre and saw several small tortoises being rared for the wild. We also found the xxxxxx xxxxxxx finch,

Back to the port, bought a T shirt and post cards, and a beer. Here you could see the sea lions basking on the gunwales of the boats. Gates were in place at the landing spots to deter sea lions who would otherwise climb steps and start to roam the streets.

Back to the boat and supper.

Up early for a flight to the Galapagos, first we flew to the city of Guayaquil, looking down through the gaps in the clouds, we could see vast areas of low lying farm land and houses under water. The airport had some rather large colonies of Egrets nesting between the runways. A short stop, and then we were off to the island of Baltra, a very small island separated from Santa Cruz by a channel of 200 meters. The airport was fairly efficient, quickly relieving us of 100 dollars each for entry.

Leaving the airport on a bus, then onto the foot ferry to Santa Cruz. Our private coach on the other side took us for our tour. The weather was fascinating, the main land was cloudy, the trip to the islands was clear blue. The islands of course were covered with cloud. Our coach trip took us up to a place where we were due to have a walk and see our first finches, not to be, a deluge of rain. That was cancelled to we went to a private reserve where we saw a barn owl and some romping tortoises feeding. A few birds were spotted, and then back onto the bus to the town of Puerto Ayora for lunch, and a walk to the Tortoise breeding centre.

Now the weather was much improved, sunny and hot, but where we had come from, the cloud still persisted, and rain was surely still falling. A practical lesson in geography. In the town we met begging Sea Lions surrounding the man gutting and filleting Yellow Fin Tuna. At the breeding centre we saw some juvenile tortoises which had not yet been released, and also the old man of them all, Lonesome George.

Back to the town, and we boarded the cruise liner for the week. The boat is a twin masted boat called the Cachalote. Supper was soon ready, and we went to bed pretty early.