Galapagos - San Cristobal

We were awake at 4.15am as our bags were being checked and collected from our hotel room at 4.30am. I am now feeling very tired from these early morning starts! We transferred with no problems to Quito airport from where we flew to Guayaquil. The plane refuelled here which I questioned as it was only about 30 minutes after we had left Quito. Apparently this was because the plane could not fully fuel at Quito due to the high altitude and the inability to carry too much weight. We then took off again and flew to San Cristobal, one of the islands in the Galápagos. 

We transferred to our boat, which was moored in the bay, by zodiac. We are finally here! It has been a dream come true for us and a special way to celebrate Gavin's special birthday (which is only in September) After an introduction and a glass of bubbly we were taken to our cabins, and then went to lunch. 

Today was just about settling in - and finally unpacking after living out of our suitcases for a week. We had a safety briefing and then the week’s activities were explained to us. It seems it will be early starts in the morning, breakfast from 6.30am and the zodiacs leave at 7.30am to take you on the the island. Then back to the boat to go to another location on the island to go snorkelling or kayaking. The boat sails at night to a different island so every morning it is a new location. There are lectures every day about the locations and their flora and fauna, and there is a team of about 8 expedition leaders who are all biologists or scientists, and one who is a professional photographer (who worked with David Attenborough when he filmed here). It sounds like it is going to be an excellent week.

This photo is of a Sally Lightfoot crab, which are very common here. They can grow to 20cm in width. I took this when I saw it is the harbour while I was waiting to board the zodiac. I have an extra of a frigate bird that was flying above us, and one of Kicker Rock at sunset. The wifi is very slow on the boat and it took ages to upload this, I hope I can post something every day.

We have continued to receive puppy news while we are away - they all had their first bath yesterday! After much discussion we have also finally agreed on a name for our new puppy that everyone in the family likes. I will not divulge that until we finally get her, which is 3 days after we get back from this holiday.