Day 15 in Ecuador - Birds, Town, & Goodbye!

Yesterday ended with sunset and sharks, and today starts with sunrise off the shore of San Cristobal Island.  



The frigate birds have beat me to the sun deck sitting on the communications tower.  



There are immature male frigate birds with a pale pink sac under their chins, and one large male who has started the inflation process.

  

Can you imagine getting hooked with this beak?



Breakfast is served alfresco on the deck as we tour around Kicker Rock.  Made from volcanic ash or “tuff”, this large mass is also called “sleeping lion” by the locals.    

  

Boobies are nesting on the rock, 



and frigate birds are keeping us company in the air.



The effects of erosion can be seen on the top and sides.



We take a close-up panga ride around another mountain of tuff called Cathedral Rock 

  

and see blue footed boobies and brown pelicans.
  

We enter an eroded area called the cathedral

  

due to the pillows of stone. 

This perspective makes you feel very small.  U

We enter a hole carved through the mountain.

  

 A gorgeous viewpoint of the sleeping lion through the opening.

  

We head for a wet landing and beach time at Gardner Bay and are here all by ourselves today.



Snorkeling is not very good in this area so I watch red crabs on the beach

  

and the continuous wave action on the lava rocks.  

  

We debate which way the lion is sleeping.  I see a head to the left, but from another angle looking straight at the spike on the right, that is the real lion figure.



I lie on the sun deck and watch the frigate birds wheel through the sky overhead.

  

Lunch starts with pumpkin soup, 



beef with mushroom sauce and two salads, 



and chocolate mousse!



Our final afternoon aboard the ship,  and we visit the capital town of the islands, San Cristobal.

  

The harbor is filled with various pleasure crafts and ships.


Alberto has done such a great job teaching us that a brief visit to an interpretive center doesn’t reveal very much new knowledge.  However, iguanas in the roadway do create a problem.  Like the giant tortoises, these are protected animals, and any vehicle that hits them…even while they are sunbathing on the blacktop…will receive a $10,000 fine and possibly jail for the driver.


Robyn and I walk around town, looking into souvenir shops, and enjoying a Coke!  The town of Santa Cruz does not have a post office, but this one in San Cristobal looks like self service at 4:00 in the afternoon.



We gather at a local bar, The Post Office, for drinks.  A huge collection of sea lion are congregated below. 



This one looks like he has found a great spot!



We have been so blessed with good weather during this entire adventure!  Rain during the night or while traveling has never dampened our explorations.  As we head back to the ship, it starts to spritz a little,



and we receive a final sea lion goodbye!



Our farewell dinner aboard ship before we depart tomorrow is a time for celebrating with new friends.  I pack tonight and fly to Quito tomorrow where we will meet Juan for a short briefing, dinner and a last goodbye.


A final sunrise

  



and a hug goodbye from Alberto.



It has been an adventure that was worth waiting through three years of delay due to COVID, and a 49 year wait since first hearing about the Galápagos Islands as a naive college freshman.  These magical islands were always hovering on my life’s horizon, and now, they blossom with vivid images and memories of giant tortoises, sea turtles, iguanas, birds, and fish.


I have learned and discovered a rich and vibrant history and culture through the eyes of Juan, and Alberto, and so many other people who touched my adventure creating a beautiful mosaic.  The Amazon rain forest, city life in Quito, and especially the Galápagos Islands have all been amazing!  Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to see your creation and your people, and hopefully, share with friends and loved ones!  I am truly richly blessed!


Adios!











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