Galapagos Day 1 - Arrived at last

An early start (we were picked up from the Hotel in Quito at 5am) saw us catch our plane to Baltra airport in the Galapagos.  I duly paid my $200 entrance levy, and had my passport stamped - I had finally arrived.

Baltra is a canal width from Santa Cruz Island, but to get there you take a bus to the jetty and then a ferry.  On the way our bus had to stop for an Iguana, which was sunning itself on the road.  On the short 5 minute ferry journey we saw seals and pelicans as well as the Galapagos Tern.  Unfortunately the camera was packed away for the journey at this point.

From there I stopped at the Twins nature reserve, so called for the 2 sink holes left by retreating lava in the past.  Amongst the wildlife seen was the Woodpecker Finch in the first extra, and the Small Ground Finch.  

After a delightful lunch at the well named Lodge, it was on to the Darwin Station where we got to learn all about the Giant Galapagos Tortoises, and see many of the different varieties.  But with the light fast going it was time to go to the yacht Beluga, which was waiting for us and reached by a 10 minute Panga journey.  A sumptuous dinner awaited - and a well earned night’s sleep.