Puerto Ayora
Day 276
Daphne Major and Minor Galagagos
We woke up RED!! Talk about get burnt yesterday on Bartholomew Island....oh dear! We had no idea the sun would be so angry! It didn´t feel that hot.........maybe because we were snorkelling and swimming and didn´t feel it, not sure. My feet were red raw!
Today we were told to be ready for snorkelling again...which we were looking forward to. We were off to Daphne and Punta Carrion which is where we were told we could swim with the sharks......and the manta rays.......
We knew the Daphne Island was the one that looked like it stuck out like dog´s balls..so we were excited to be seeing that.
Sammy seal lion was still in his chair when we arrived at the port this morning..seems he´s taken up residence there and gives a bit of a wave and a flap to show he´s still alive..it´s SO cute!
We actually watched him fall out of the boat...and swim around...and climb up againand plop into his chair! Talkabout an old man seal! It´s just SO funny! And has kept us amused each day!
We sailed on a smaller boat today, for only 6 people. Called King Mariner. Our tour group seems to be diminishing as people go home..some came for 2, 3 and 4 day tours. Our´s was a 5 day tour.
We watched manta ray´s fly out of the water...and passed A LOT of sea lions..about a hundred or so and many many babies. And saw a lot of Darwin´s finches. Such an exciting place .. so prolific with wildlife! We learned about the Island Isabella. It has five volcano´s on it..but it´s a long way from Santa Cruz so it´s not in our itinerary.
These islands, Daphne Major Island and the island that is closeby, Daphne Minor Island are of volcanic origin...about 10 km west of Seymour Island.
We got off and snorkelled on Daphne Major..it wasn´t as exciting underwater as yesterday..but we did sea a sea snake and a sting ray hiding on a rock....
Scary really....
I was really hoping not to see sharks..some of the others really wanted to..but not me. I´m just not keen. Seen too many at the Abrolhos to think they´re remotely friendly! We didn´t see any.....
We were supposed to be going to the Darwin Centre this evening...but we opted to go tomorrow...early, and to go to see the Turtle Farm and Lava Tunnels this afternoon instead.
We weren´t disappointed either. The turtle farm had a variety of species of Tortoises in their natural and wild habitat. One of the tortoise´s was 120 years old!
The natural tunnels or lava tubes as they call them also were about 3 km from Puerto Ayora on the road to Bellavista..
The tunnel we visited is the "Tunnel of Endless Love"! It got it´s name because of the heart shapped hole in the roof!
The Lava Tunnels happened when the lava flowed and the outer part of the stream got cold and hardened...but the liquid magma within continues flowing.
When it stopped flowing empty tubes are left behind.
And this is what happened in Santa Cruz Island where we were staying...leaving an island full of lava tunnels.
We were glad we went to the Turtle Farm and Lava Tunnels..but still wanted to get to the Charles Darwin Centre...
So...we organised for a taxi to come get us at 6am so we could spend an hour there before we leave for the airport..
Can´t miss seeing this famous Charles Darwin Scientific Research Centre!!!!!!
Before bed, we ventured out to the town centre..and i bought myself a galagagos bag to put my head pillow in...because the one that blows up...didn´t blow up..so i had to buy one that is always inflated (has polystyrene balls) and to carry it..i needed a bag. Good excuse! haha It´s a nice bag!!!!!
Cool town....we wandered around for quite a while..and watched the boats...
We´ve had such a great time here!!!!
