Walking the lava fields of Isla Isabella
Trip Start
Jan 14, 2006
1
9
44
Trip End
Ongoing
Galapagos,
Ecuador
Friday, March 10, 2006
It is also the quietest - only a handful of yachts and one or two small tourist ships in the harbour, compared to Santa Cruz, which was crowded. The island people are also more freindly and prices are slightly less (because tourism hasn't caught hold of Isabella as much as the other islands, although it wont stay that way for long!)
Our anchorage is protected by a large reef, which makes for a very comfortable boat, especially with a nice breeze blowing most of the time. We walked around the reef next to our anchorage and say hundereds of marine iguanas basking on the jagged rocks of the reef, as well as the famous blue-footed boobies (pics to come although it will have to wait till the Marquesas as I can't hook up my memory stick here).
We snorkeled a lagoon on the reef and although the visibility was poor we were able to swim with about 20 white tipped reef sharks, all about 1.5m long!!!
Yesterday we got on the back of a truck and headed up into the hills for about half an hour before getting off the truck and trecking for two hours on horseback to the top of the second larget volcanic crater in the world (which erupted last october!!!). An absolutely amazing landscape, especially seen from horseback. We then got off the horses and walked for 30 minutes to another volcano and walked over the solid lava fields - absolutely unreal! The environment was unlike anything I've ever seen (pics to come!!!).
It was dusk by the time we got back to the boat and cooked up a great fresh tuna dish - for the third day in a row! George caught a BIG tuna!!
We are now checking out the weather and wind patterns as it seems that the south easterly trades have started, so we're considering heading to the Marquesas in the next couple of days, ahead of schedule, to take advantage of the wind and hopefully get there in less than 21 days.
Here's to a wind filled, great crossing across the largest stretch of water (appart from the Southern Ocean) in the world!
Adios Ecuador and Bonjour French Polynesia!
Tom
xxx
Comments
Fish on a Friday...?
Hey Tom,
Sounds soooo amazing, I'm so jealous! Hope you're enjoying the tuna fish - he he!! (Maybe I'll give up fish to compensate?!)
Look forward to seeing the photos, here's to the next episode...
Love nikki xxx
Tuna tails from the Galapagos ?
How could you NOT do this! Everyone at work is asking about you, see what an impression you make. Loads of love, mum.
sounds great
Tom
Its good to hear that you're enjoying the adventure. Looking forward to to seeing the pics of the volcano.
Glad to hear that you're eating Tuna, its got to be better than seaweed.
Colin
hola doooooods
By the time you see this you'll be across the other side - so how was it? WE CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lotsaluv, Sophie & Joe
hiya from sunny bodders
hiya sweatie by the time u get this you'll be on the other side of the pacific!!!!! what was it like are u really tired? cant wait to see u in a few weeks. so excited. lyds said she might come out to . well got to get back to scholl work.
all my love Grace
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Salut Tom!
Bienvenue en Polynesie Francaise!! Comment ca va?! Bet you're having a WHALE of a time!?! (Seen any yet?!) Been avidly following your adventures since your departure so thought it about time i say hi, and thanks! Will eagerly await the next installment! Amuse-toi bien! Caroline.x
Hello Tom
Hi Tom,
It is great to be able to read about your adventures. Charlie came to see me a few weeks ago and tempted me with tales of the high seas and sailing back from Spain... I so could have dropped it all and sailed off with them.. you lucky duck!
xx Bobby