I figured that I was almost arriving at the Galapagos Islands when the flight attendant on my plane sprayed insect repellant on the luggage, stowed in the overhead compartments, which probably shifted during flight, in order to protect the wildlife and the environment that I would soon be experiencing. No kidding!
Or maybe I started to know that I was in the Galapagos when I stepped out of the airplane in Baltra (on the island of Santa Cruz) into the warmth of the fresh air, and immediately took off my sweatshirt, and I wanted to change into some shorts. (I usually fly with pants and a sweatshirt because to me, airplanes are cold.)
Baltra Arrival (I’m not sure who got in my picture)
Possibly, I got an inkling that perhaps I was in the Galapagos when I received a stamp in my passport saying “Presidencia de la Republica del Ecuador instituto Nacional Galapagos†right next to my “Republica del Ecuador†stamp. Or it might have been when I paid my $100 National Park fee, using a crisp $100 bill, and subsequently received my “Tarjeta Ingreso de Visitantes al Parque Nacional Galapagos,†my Visitor Entrance Card, that I had some concept of the fact that I was in the Galapagos.
My Tourist Transit Control Card and My Visitor Entrance Card
Or perchance I think I really started to realize that I was in the Galapagos when Diego, the Ecuadorian naturalist guide, who would be my tour guide, my eyes to spot wildlife, especially birds, my source of information about the wildlife and birds, and eventually my friend, found me, and the 14 other passengers who I would be spending the next week of my life with, as we would sail from island to island aboard a quite charming yacht.
A Quite Charming Yacht
But I really think it dawned on me that I was in the Galapagos Islands, when after a five-minute bus ride from the airport to the seaport, where I would board a small dinghy boat that would take me to the yacht, I was greeted by several Sea Lions lounging around on park benches, in the shade, just to be out of the warm sun. I got further confirmation about my Galapagos presence when I noticed a Marine Iguana that was relaxing, and posing for photographs, right next to the Sea Lions.
Lounging Sea Lions
A Marine Iguana and a Sea Lion
No, what really made me certain was when the yacht I was now relaxing on began to sail, a breeze formed from the movement, the air felt comfortably warm, the blue skies complemented the blue seas, a few islands were lingering in the distance, and some Frigatebirds were soaring just above the yacht, as if they were leading the way – the way to my next week in the Galapagos. Yes, that was it! That was when I really knew that I was in the Galapagos Islands!
Leading the Way
Please join me as I blog about the recent journey I went on, traveling around the Galapagos Islands for nearly 8 days, including stories about the plentiful wildlife that I saw, the animal behaviors that I observed, the photography that I took, the yacht itself, the reflections that I had during my last hour of the entire week, did I mention the plentiful wildlife that I saw, a day in Quito, and more!
Sweet Travels!
All photos by Debby