Giant Land Tortoises, oh my!

Dear familia, 

This will surely be one of our final posts, as we have only one more excursion on the Galapagos Islands (13 island total).  Yesterday (Thanksgiving in the U.S.) we spent the morning at the Charles Darwin research center and the afternoon in the highlands walking among the extraordinary giant land tortoises.  It is incredible to see these tortoises for the first time.  They are truly giant - 300 pounds or more, and old!  Many are over 100 years and average life span in 180 years.  They walk slowly and the islands revolve around protecting them.  Our guide told us with the utmost seriousness and reverence for these beautiful creatures, "If you hit one, you go to prison....as you should."  It is special to see the tortoises in the research center, but once you get in the highlands it becomes amazing.  The bus drives along the road and you begin to see them all along the countryside, one after another.  Incredible!

A second wonder of the islands is this adorable bird named the blue footed boobie.  These birds are endemic to the islands (in other words, you can only see them here) and they have great personalities.  All the wildlife here is protected so the animals smile, pose, and act naturally when you are near them.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner last night, highlighted by an Ecuadorian musical concert afterward (in the lounge on floor 3).  B and I have also made some wonderful friends on this cruise, and we all tend to eat together, hike, listen to music and more.  Overall, A+ experience.

We woke up this morning to our 6:15 am stretching class on the rooftop.  Lovely breakfast, and incredible hike (captured in the photo below).  On this hike, we saw the Chatam mockingbird, one of 4 mockingbird species on the islands, collected by Darwin and essential to his theories of evolution.  WOW!

This may sounds insincere, and know it is not, but we miss you mucho!  Love you all and we will be stateside in about 36 hours (B) and 72 (K).

Giant Land Tortoise

Blue footed Boobie on San Cristobal

Peridot Beach, Galapagos, 2019

Sea Kayaking in the Archipelago

It's been another glamorous day highlighted by an adventurous sea kayaking morning.  The wonders of the Galapagos revolve around the isolated nature of these islands (13) and the endemic species which can only be found here: Giant sea tortoises, marine iguanas, Darwin's finches and more.  The waters creates a barrier so that all species can be examined within a microcosm that we are currently part of ---and it is incredible.

The mornings continue to start early.  We joined a group of 15 on a 6:45 am pre-breakfast nature walk.  To be sure, in order to take this walk, you must first get in a zodiac and go approximately 1 mile to shore, disembark, clean and dry feet, and then walk.  On the way there, at 6:48 or so, we came upon our second pod of dolphins.  A glorious start to the morning!

We returned to a wonderful breakfast - eggs benedict for me.  Almost immediately afterward, we ventured out to the bay for sea kayaking.  Quite an affair, we got splashed, tossed, and turned, and laughed so hard I almost wet my pants!  When you return from sea outings, you step on the boat and a crew member offers you a fresh juice (different every day).  About 30 minutes later, we ventured out for the the third outing of the morning --- a tour in the glass bottom boat.  Many sea species and for those who are interested, I can send you the list of fish spied.

Afternoon was more restful, and then we had a bbq on rooftop followed by a live music show (incredible) and with any luck, I can upload a video manana.  For now, it is bedtime, and we need to rest because breakfast is at 6:45 am tomorrow and then we go to the Charles Darwin Research Center.  I promise to update and love to all.

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things

Equadorian food

We are about to head to one of the key meals of the week - the "Equadorian Feast."  We have been advised to bring cameras as it is a beautiful meal.  And yes, this is the way we dine.  The food has been incredible.

Breakfast begins with an array of fruit and generally a local fruit that we have never tried before.  There is then a choice of Equadorian breakfast dished.  Today, I had "Tigrolles" which is a scrambled egg with plantians and peanut sauce.  Quite good!  If you are not feeling adventurous, there is always a platter of scrambled eggs and bacon, and an omelette station as well.  Finally, there is a station of toast, rolls, and pastries.  After you collect food from the buffet, you choose a table in dining room with white table clothes, 5 pieces of silverware, coffee cups, and water glasses.  A server comes over to offer a fresh juice every morning (Starwberry today!) and fresh coffee.

Lunch is buffet style as well. Always a plate of cheeses, fruits, and salad bar.  Then a series of choices that range from root veggies to a grilled fish.  Great flavor.

Dinner is a bit different.  You order a fish, meat, veggie, or combo order during the day.  (For example, today we need to select Lamb, Amerjack, or Risotta.)  At dinnertime, dinner is served and always includes a soup first, followed by salad, entree, and dessert.

And one of my favorite parts of all three meals is the announcement that precedes the meal.  Sebastian, the Cruise manager has a meodious voice and he says,

"My friends, Lunch is ready.  Please join us in the dining room for some fresh Equadorian food."  I am reminded of this lovely moment as Sebastian is calling us now. Must run!

Love to all and more photos soon.

Shellbacks

Dear Pollywogs,

Bridget and I have passed the equator, TWICE, since last writing.  We are now officially "Shellbacks."  We just returned from our 7am adventure to Santa Ferdinanda - an island completely comprised of lava.  It is filled with the Marine Iguana, a black iguana that blends in with the lava rock.

My dear Pollywogs, I will admit, that I was struck with sadness that you could not all be there to share this breath-taking moment.  And, of course, I thought of my Carlos in particular - who would have loved the marine iguana, and all this wildlife that is extraordinary beyond our words (try Darwin for a full description). 

We have made many friends as well.  We dine in a fancy dining room 3 times a day, and share tables with interesting passengers.  We feel very successful at this social enterprise and find ourselves laughing a lot.

We will be passing the equator a third time this evening at 5:30.  Inspirato has coordinated a wine reception on the balcony for this moment.  Wow!  Snorkeling between now and then.  We snorkled with a shark yesterday but more on that soon.

Abrazos mi familia!

Holy Sunday

Blue footed Boobies, Land Iguanas, and Magnificent Frigates -- oh my!  Suffice it say the 6 am start to the day did not disappoint.  We continue to respect National Geographic and have a keener eye for conservation, Darwin continues to Inspire, and B and I feel like we are in a dream....come....true!

6:00 am wake up to coffee
6:15 am stretching on balcony surrounded by Pacifica waters and Islets
6:45 Huevos Rancheros
7:45 Zodiac Departure for North Seymour Island
Zodiac to a pod of dolphins - more than 70 - and sit in awe!!

It is 10 am and we are exhausted.  We must get upstairs for the snorkel instruction required for our afternoon adventure.  We are working to get photos up pronto.

We love and miss you!

Embarked

Conversation since arriving to the Islands at 9 am:

"This is the life,"
"Yes, it is."

We feel spoiled and all seems surreal, and yes, we are loving every moment.  The National Geographic Expedition II is lovely, 5 floors - views and sun deck on top; operations, library, gym on 4; lounge on 3; rooms on 2; and dining on 1.  We have a lovely room, big window, and cool metal water bottle from NG.

We had our first zodiac ride (the big rubber boats with motor that sit about 10-12), met several passengers, and will head to lunch shortly.  We will head to San Cristobal this afternoon for some beach time.  B is going to upload some photos and her voice shortly.

Ah, this is the life -- but we miss you all very, very much.  Abrazos and Love!

We feel the awe that Charles Darwin must have felt in 1835 surrounded by beauty, volcanic rock, and the clearest of waters filled with fish.