SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS |
Friday, October 28, 2005 |
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