After a few underwhelming experiences back home left me feeling like I needed to get away, 2 trips fell in my lap within 2 days. This is one of them. My pro photographer friend, Benjamin, posted on Facebook that it was so nice to be back in the Galapagos. A little conversation followed and he offered me a free place to stay if I came down before May 15. The next day my flights were booked.
On May 6 I took a red-eye into Guayaquil, Ecuador with a 3 hour layover to get through immigration and customs and barely made my flight to the Galapagos. I arrived in Baltra and made my way by bus, ferry and another bus to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. I walked to Ben’s place.
In the afternoon of Saturday May 7, we went on a hike to Las Grietas where we snorkeled in the ravine in fresh water with a hint of salt from the sea amongst some fish that had somehow made it here.
Sunday May 8 we took a hike to Tortuga Beach for a swim and to take some pictures.
Monday May 9 I woke up early to workout with Ben’s girlfriend Maluchi. After we went to the Charles Darwin Station to photograph the giant land tortoises and land iguana. Afterward we went to a beach for a swim and some photos of the Galapagos Finch. After lunch we went to Finch Bay to rent a kayak and go snorkeling. It was a long day and I was exhausted. We went to the street market for dinner.
Tuesday May 10 we got up at 5am and took a seasick inducing boat out to Gordon Rocks. After an equipment checkout, we went for a 30 meter dive at Gordon Rocks. It was incredible to drop into a huge school of colorful fish. We then dropped down to a shelf at about 20 meters. There we saw a poisonous fish which lays on the coral and is nearly undetectable as it blends in. Along the shelf a bit before dropping down further to 30 meters where we saw a school of about 20 Hammerhead sharks from infant to huge adult. We also saw black tipped reef shark. I came up and after getting back on the boat I threw up water, I think from being sea sick. I didn’t go down for the second dive but was told I didn’t miss much. The pictures of this dive are from the guide, I also have a video of the Hammerheads.
Wednesday May 11 I got up early for another workout with Maluchi. Ben and Maluchi decide they are going to leave a couple days early (tomorrow instead of Saturday) for a few days in Cuenca and then return for another month as they have a lot of work out here. I convince Ben to go to the highlands this day (even though he has to pack). There are only 3 Giant Land Tortoise here as most have gone lower to mate. Last time I was here there were a couple dozen. I conclude that December is the best time for the Galapagos for Tortoise and baby sea lions. This night we went to an open air club and I got some incredible pictures of the moon and creepy clouds with my 15mm fisheye lens.
Thursday May 12 and I have to find a place to stay. 7am and I have a cappuccino with Malucci before they head to the airport. I go to Sol y Mar and pay for a room for 2 nights and then they tell me they may not have a room for Friday night and it will take them a few hours to figure it out. I head back to the Charles Darwin Station. One of the male Tortoise climbed over another and then slid off the platform and turned on his back, I had to come to the rescue and flip him back over. And finally Lonesome George is not laying down and/or hidden. He is chasing the females and putting on quite a show. People at the park didn’t know how lucky they were, I took a lot of pictures. Third trip to this park...thanks Lonesome George for the pictures. I return to Sol y Mar where they don’t have a room for Friday night, so I get my credit card refunded and take a water taxi across the bay to the Angermeyer Waterfront hotel. Good price, smallish room but great service. I spent the rest of the day laying out on the Finch Bay Beach.
Friday May 13 I took a trip to North Seymour Island which I booked the day before. I loved this island the last time I came to the Galapagos mostly because of the Frigate birds. Last time there was one nesting area of 6-8 birds hidden in the brush which was giving my auto-focus fits. This time there were dozens of birds some of them only a few feet away and out in the open. The group was large and I had to lag behind to get my pictures. The last bird, as soon as every one else left, started posing for me throwing his head back, calling, flapping his wings. I took 50 shots of him and some video. I got what I came for. The tour continued with some snorkeling off of Baltra, I stayed in the boat and took pictures of the two 6 foot reef sharks that were circling. Some of the snorkelers didn’t see them...back on the boat I showed them the pictures and I think they were glad they didn’t know they were swimming with sharks. The tour finished with Bacchus Beach where I got some Pink Flamingo and Crab pictures. A very nice day.
Saturday May 14 I return home on another red-eye that arrived Sunday morning.
I took another 800 shots in the Galapagos Islands on this trip and I tried to find the best for this page. I feel like I’ve done all the things and taken all the pictures I missed on my first trip....but I do believe I will be coming back.