SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Friday, October 28, 2005


IMG_1248.JPG

IMG_1249.JPG

IMG_1250.JPG

IMG_1251.JPG

IMG_1252.JPG

IMG_1253.JPG

IMG_1254.JPG

IMG_1255.JPG

IMG_1256.JPG

IMG_1257.JPG

IMG_1258.JPG

IMG_1259.JPG

IMG_1260.JPG

IMG_1261.JPG

IMG_1262.JPG

IMG_1263.JPG

IMG_1264.JPG

IMG_1265.JPG

IMG_1266.JPG

IMG_1267.JPG

IMG_1268.JPG

IMG_1269.JPG

IMG_1270.JPG

IMG_1271.JPG

IMG_1272.JPG

IMG_1273.JPG

IMG_1274.JPG

IMG_1275.JPG

IMG_1276.JPG

IMG_1277.JPG

IMG_1278.JPG

IMG_1279.JPG

IMG_1280.JPG

IMG_1282.JPG

IMG_1283.JPG

IMG_1284.JPG

IMG_1286.JPG

IMG_1287.JPG

IMG_1288.JPG

IMG_1289.JPG

IMG_1290.JPG

IMG_1291.JPG

IMG_1292.JPG

IMG_1293.JPG

IMG_1294.JPG

IMG_1295.JPG

IMG_1296.JPG

IMG_1297.JPG

IMG_1298.JPG

IMG_1299.JPG

IMG_1300.JPG

IMG_1301.JPG

IMG_1302.JPG

IMG_1303.JPG

IMG_1304.JPG

IMG_1305.JPG

IMG_1306.JPG

IMG_1307.JPG

IMG_1308.JPG

IMG_1309.JPG

IMG_1310.JPG

IMG_1311.JPG

IMG_1312.JPG

IMG_1313.JPG

IMG_1315.JPG

IMG_1316.JPG

IMG_1317.JPG

IMG_1318.JPG

IMG_1319.JPG

IMG_1321.JPG

IMG_1322.JPG

IMG_1323.JPG

IMG_1324.JPG

Buffet Breakfast is served in the hotel.

This morning you will depart the hotel to the Quito airport for your 35 minute flight to Guayaquil. Then, you will take a flight to San Cristobal Island, one of the Galapagos Islands. You will be transferred to the MV Santa Cruz, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galapagos Islands.

Upon arrival, you will check into your cabin and lunch will be served. A briefing will be done by the naturalist guides in the lounge. The Galapagos itinerary is subject to change dependent upon National Park regulations, animal breeding, etc.

In the afternoon, you will explore the coastline of Stephen's Bay, San Crist6bal Island. Your expedition staff will carefully select this afternoon's site for some rewarding wildlife observation. Some of the animal highlights to be encountered include a small sea lion colony, whose shores are also home to many sea birds, including frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, Darwin's Finches and the island endemic San Crist6bal (Chatham) Mockingbird. Lava lizards are also examples of an island endemic species. Great landscape photography. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin sailed and walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Crist6bal was the first island where he set foot in the Galapagos.

Afternoon:

Visit to "La Galapaguera". This stands in English as the "place for the Galipagos tortoises". The project for raising the race of tortoise from San Crist6bal Island started a few years ago with the idea to encourage the participation of the local community in the efforts of saving this endemic race of tortoises. A bus will take us from the dock to the highlands of San Cristobal. (40 minutes ride) Fantastic scenery with unique flora and fauna awaits you there. The recent breeding centre for giant tortoises is situated above the southern coastline through the transition zone.

Join the captain in the evening for a welcome reception, followed by dinner on the ship.

Friday, October 28th, 2005
Welcome on Board!

Few things you would like to know about this morning:

Your cabins don't have keys since we provide three room service shifts a day. You may leave your valuables in the safe in your cabin. We soon will have an informative briefing about life on board of the ship, the rules of the National Park Galapagos and the program for this afternoon. This as well as all other activities will be announced over our loudspeaker system. We are to have too an international Boat drill Exercise where everybody must participate. It is for your safety.

Thank you!
San Cristobal Islan