The Galapagos, the Enchanted Islands

The volcanic islands which straddle the equator in the South Pacific lie about 600 miles from the west coast of South America. Officially discovered March 10th, 1535 by the Bishop of Panama, there are 13 large islands, 6 smaller ones and 107 islets and rocks which make up a province belonging to the Republic of Ecuador. In 1959 Ecuador designated 3% of the surface area for human settlement in the archipelago while the remaining 97% became the Galapagos National Park. In 1986 the Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve was established, protecting the waters around the archipelago. San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabella and Isla Santa Maria are the only islands where small population centers occurs. Isla Baltra remains a military base and the airport for Isla Santa Cruz.

Isla San Cristobal
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

The Galapagos had been on our cruising wish list for many years and finely on March 27, 2007 after 15 days at sea we arrived in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the Provincial Capital located on Isla Cristobal where we officially cleared into the country. With the Port Captain's ok and the proper permits we were allowed to spend time visiting the islands.

Anxious to explore the island we signed up for an inland tour with one of the local tour guides. Mostly an Ecuadorian national park, the Galapagos Islands remains one of the worlds most intriguing places, as we discovered touring the island's preservation areas.

Port Captain's visit

Tortoise pond

 Our knowledgeable tour guide Carlos took us to many interesting places. Our first stop was the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Conservation Center built in 2003 designed for the reproduction and breeding of the San Cristobal Giant Tortoise (Geochelone chathamensis). "The Return of the Giant Tortoise" Trail. This 1/2 mile interpretative trail where the tortoises can be easily observed is set up with signs which help visitors understand the most important ecological features of this site.
El Junco Lagoon El Junco Lagoon is an inactive volcano that supplies the island with fresh water. At Loberia Beach we spotted quite a few marine iguanas which didn't seem to mind posing for pictures. Marine Iguana

The Interpretation Center

 After our visit to the Interpretation Center we followed the frigate bird trail which took us up to the statue of Charles Darwin along with awesome view points. Mr Darwin arrive to Isla San Cristobal on a ship called Beagle in 1835. It was here he began to formulate an idea about the evolution of species. Charles Darwin

Pepito

Our visitor The Mockingbird Cafe

Our stay on Isla San Cristobal was phenomenal. Apart from our explorations we got to meet Pepito the domesticated tortoise, Diana the owner of The Mockingbird, our favorite internet cafe where I could upload my web pages. With an abundance of sea lions in the bay we took precautions to keep them from coming aboard, which was not to successful. With the help of Carmela and her brother Johnny Romero of Naugala Yacht Services we were able to obtain the permits necessary to visit the other Galapagos ports on.

Our Host Carmella
Isla Santa Cruz .... Isla Isabella
Photo Galery Pt 1 & Pt 2 Galapagos Best