Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to Cerro Brujo
Day 1 - The Adventure Begins
Guayaquil to San Cristobal
It was an early morning in Guayaquil as we were up, had breakfast and were driven to the airport for an early flight from Guayaquil to San Cristobal island (formerly Chatham Island) and the Galapagos province capital of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
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Once our luggage and we were all on board, a short orientation was given and the mandatory lifeboat drill accomplished. A buffet lunch had been prepared and though we were given the opportunity to take a nap, most of us were too excited as we anticipated the afternoon's sail to Cerro Brujo - also known as "wizard hill."
"In the Galapagos, animals and plants have the right of way."
The wildlife seem to know they are protected in these enchanted isles. The sea lions didn't bat an eye at our approach (although that one fellow is keeping an eye open for the little oystercatcher) - and while that may not be so unusual - the oystercatcher family was equally unperturbed - even with a hatchling in tow. I couldn't believe we could get that close to these wary birds but our Nat Geo pro videographer showed us how it was done, at eye level in the sand.
These Sally Lightfoot crabs kept their eyes on us.
We kept an eye out for the Islander - after our early morning plane flight and all this breathtaking beauty, we needed a good night's sleep before day 2 and the waved albatrosses of Española.