Galapagos Islands Vacation ! In August we were able to travel to the Galapagos Islands for a once in a lifetime adventure. We traveled with Natural Habitat Adventures on their Eastern itinerary on board the Nemo III catamaran luxury sailboat. Each day we traveled to a differnt Galapagos island where we hiked, snorkled and kayaked amongst the incredible wildlife where we learned about the ecosystem and animals from our incredible guides. Along the way we made new friends and enjoyed the spending time with them, the guides and the crew of the Nemo III. Jump To: Best of the Galapagos Day 0 - Quito Day 1 - North Seymour Day 2 - San Cristobal Day 3 -Espanola Day 4 - Floreana Day 5 - Santa Cruz Day 6 - More Santa Cruz and Santa Fe Day 7 - Bartolome Day 8 - Baltra Day 3 - Espanola Island After a rough overnight cruise where it felt like we were sleeping on a roller coaster, we arrived at the island of Espanola, the east most and oldest geologically of the islands we would visit. Soon we would give the island the nickname "Land of the Lost" as it felt as though we had stepped back in time. We started with an early morning kayak and then a snorkel where we saw our first sea turtles and a beach walk all before lunch. In the afternoon we would do a hike on the island where we would see thousands of iguanas, lots of Sea Lion pups including one just born, Blue Footed and Masked Boobies and our first and only up close sightings of the majestic and quirky Albatrosses. The Galapago Sea Turtle, one of several spotted on this morning's snorkel outing. A small group of Marine Iquanas - there would be thousands on Espanola in large groups piled a top each other. The Espanola Mockingbird A Galapagos Lava Heron about to snatch a meal. Two American Oyster Catchers, another shore bird species hunting for crabs. Three species in one picture! The Wave Albatross - these huge birds cannot just take off, they have to run to gain speed like a plane going down a runway and they wobble to and fro as they run, a humorous and epic sight to behold. The Masked Booby. A Galapagos Hawk and her chick A Wave Albatross soars past a blow hole. We spotted a whale off the coast of Espanola.   I call this one "tourists looking for a whale" This photo of an Albatross soaring was taken from a high vantage point where the group sat in peaceful silence as dozens of Blue Footed Boobys, Wave Albatross and Frigatebirds gracefully circled just above us patrolling the shoreline sometimes so close you could almost reach up and touch them. It was a memorable few minutes. A recently born Sea Lion pup nursing. We passed this mother at the beginning of the hike and on the way back some 45 minutes to an hour later she had given birth - this pup was minutes old and the placenta was still visible.

Next >> Day 4 - Floreana

Jump To:

• Best of the Galapagos
• Day 0 - Quito
• Day 1 - North Seymour
• Day 2 - San Cristobal
• Day 3 -Espanola
• Day 4 - Floreana
• Day 5 - Santa Cruz
• Day 6 - More Santa Cruz and Santa Fe
• Day 7 - Bartolome
• Day 8 - Baltra