The first day long trip to another island, Isabela, would significantly improve my rating of the value for money of the trip. We set off early to the dock where we boarded a large, fast boast which resembled that used to hunt Jaws. The journey took four hours at considerable speed, testament to the distances separating these islands. On arrival we headed to another turtle sanctuary. It seems each island has its own sub-species of turtle and associated breeding programme. We were lucky enough to see a randy male chasing a reluctant female around the enclosure before mounting her. Whilst it would have been great (if a little voyeuristic) to watch them make love, the two hours required to do so was beyond our schedule. We boarded the all terrain bus and headed on to see a small community of flamingoes which originally came from the Carribean. The most colourful collection of illegal immigrants I've seen yet.
We were taken by small water taxis to an area of volcanic rock forming a small, low islet off the shore. This place was teeming with life; marine iguanas in their hundreds, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, swimming turtles and even sharks. Walking around it was very impressive. Given the lack of human contact historically, these creatures have failed to develop a deep fear of people and, as a result, you can get very, very close indeed. That is probably the most special thing about these islands. Hopping back on the boats we headed past some penguins to the snorkelling area for a quick swim before heading home. A long commute but well worth it. That evening we had expected Andrea to show but no such luck. There was only a note with information about the next day passed to us by a mystery man who didn't tell us his name and couldn't explain why Andrea hadn't come herself. We began to doubt her existence.
The first day long trip to another island, Isabela, would significantly improve my rating of the value for money of the trip. We set off early to the dock where we boarded a large, fast boast which resembled that used to hunt Jaws. The journey took four hours at considerable speed, testament to the distances separating these islands. On arrival we headed to another turtle sanctuary. It seems each island has its own sub-species of turtle and associated breeding programme. We were lucky enough to see a randy male chasing a reluctant female around the enclosure before mounting her. Whilst it would have been great (if a little voyeuristic) to watch them make love, the two hours required to do so was beyond our schedule. We boarded the all terrain bus and headed on to see a small community of flamingoes which originally came from the Carribean. The most colourful collection of illegal immigrants I've seen yet.
We were taken by small water taxis to an area of volcanic rock forming a small, low islet off the shore. This place was teeming with life; marine iguanas in their hundreds, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, swimming turtles and even sharks. Walking around it was very impressive. Given the lack of human contact historically, these creatures have failed to develop a deep fear of people and, as a result, you can get very, very close indeed. That is probably the most special thing about these islands. Hopping back on the boats we headed past some penguins to the snorkelling area for a quick swim before heading home. A long commute but well worth it. That evening we had expected Andrea to show but no such luck. There was only a note with information about the next day passed to us by a mystery man who didn't tell us his name and couldn't explain why Andrea hadn't come herself. We began to doubt her existence.
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