Galapagos: The Islands That Changed The World
On 22 June 2008, we touched down on the islands that changed the world - Galapagos.
Can’t believe we almost didn’t go there because it wasn’t part of our original travel itinerary! Galapagos is an archipelago of 13 major volcanic islands and more than 40 small islands, and is world famous for its unique treasure chest of plants and animals, many found only on these islands. The islands, which belong to Ecuador, are situated on the Equator 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador. Our 1 and 1/2 hour flight on Tame airlines from Guayaquil, Ecuador to Baltra, Galapagos, was quite ok (a little shaky); the service was good and fast. They even managed to serve us a good salad and beverage on the relatively new Airbus A320.
Upon arrival, we each had to pay US$100 as national park fees, and they gave us a Galapagos identification card in return. Words can’t describe how excited we were about exploring and experiencing Galapagos, after all, famed biologist Charles Darwin first landed here in 1835 on the small sailing vessel Beagle and changed the whole world’s perception about life on earth, and its origin with his theory of evolution.
In a previous post we talked about how we had to get from Baltra to another island called Santa Cruz (986 square kilometres), the most inhabited island in Galapagos.
Waiting for our baggage to be transported from the plane to the empty area behind
Our plane!
Arriving on Santa Cruz island from Baltra on a ferry, but we still had to take a 30-min bus ride from one end of the island to the other end where the town Puerto Ayora is situated.
View from our hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
Here is Sally…er, Sally Lightfoot Crab (Grapsus grapsus). This dramatic scarlet and orange crab is found in large numbers on the rocks and along the sides of the docks.
We stayed at the Hotel Mainao in Puerto Ayora
Sea turtle mosaic
The whimsical layout of Hotel Mainao
At this hotel, you can get free drinking water from their kitchen, which is a plus since it saves us time from having to stock up on water. Tapwater on Galapagos is undrinkable; the water that comes out is brackish water.
Typical dessert in Galapagos - fried banana with cheese
Puerto Ayora is a port town situated along Academy Bay on Isla Santa Cruz, and looks very different from the rest of Galapagos because it is the populated part.
Mangrove trees surround the public dock
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) - the largest heron on the islands
In Puerto Ayora, where there is water, you are bound to see the Brown Pelican (pelecanus occidentalis urinator)
At the Malecon lookout point
A statue of the albatross, one of the many beloved birds in the Galapagos
A cute-looking shop in Puerto Ayora
Puerto Ayora has the usual facilities found in any town including a small hospital, supermarket, post office, locutorios (phone and internet booths), small tourist shops and a TAME office.
The public dock where people can set off in boats to other islands and where locals offload and load their goods.
The Malecon is the promenade area in Puerto Ayora where you can take a stroll and watch out for the wildlife everywhere.
Thrilled to be here!
A swimming pelican
Marine Iguanas with Sallies
Puerto Ayora - where marine iguanas, sea lions, pelicans and boobies co-exist with boats, restaurants, small hotels and houses
A Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia aureola) playing in a rainwater puddle
In the compound of the police station, with the Ecuador flag in the background
It’s the birds’ feeding time!
The pelican swallowing its catch
The Frigatebird has the largest wingspan-to-weight ratio of any bird species. It’s extremely skilled in flying and gliding, and likes to steal food from other birds including other frigatebirds, while in the air! Its wingspan can be up to 240 cm!
In the evening, we walked out to the Malecon lookout point, sharing the space with pelicans, and spotted quite a few wild white-tipped sharks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays and sea lions swimming around just below!! How marvelous is that!
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Hi,
My wife and I are planning on staying at Hotel Mainao. Can you tell me how your experience at the hotel was? Does it have A/C? How much you paid?
Thanks and great blog!
Hi, we don’t remember how much we paid for Mainao or if it has a/c. The weather was cool during the time we were there. The rooms are quite basic but most hotels in Galapagos are. Have a good trip!