Galapagos trip ends

On Saturday, June 4, we bid farewell to the M/V Evolution and its crew and we left the yacht for the final time.  

We then paid a visit to the Galapagos National Park Visitor Center on San Cristobal Island.  The Interpretation Center explains the significant natural, human and geological events of the Galapagos islands.  Inside, there is an exhibit dedicated to the Galapagos' volcanic history, climate, and rare native species as well as the colonization of the islands and Charles Darwin's research. 

Charles Darwin

Quasar Expeditions provided the most wonderful trip of a lifetime for us.  We are thankful our friend, Gay, researched and found this company, which I highly recommend.  And I thank all the new friends we met on this cruise for sharing photos after the trip.  I used several of them on this blog.

Soon it was time to head to the airport to leave the Galapagos islands and fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador and then on to Lima, Peru, where we meet up with our daughter, Jen, and her husband, Donato.  Our adventure then continues in Machu Picchu.

Galapagos day 7

On Friday we visited Espanola (or Hood) Island, which is the southernmost island of the archipelago and is one of the most popular due to the breathtaking variation and number of fauna that inhabit the island.

In the morning we visited Punta Suarez, where we saw the largest variety of marine iquanas in the Galapagos, masked boobies and blue-footed boobies nesting along the cliff's edge, as well as the famous waved albatross.

Rafael led us on a hike over a rough, rocky trail....and he wore flip flops!

A baby sea lion nursing...

The Waved Albatross is also known as Galapagos Albatross.  It is the largest of the Galapagos birds with a massive wingspan of 7-8 feet and weighing 7-11 pounds.  They can grow to measure 34 inches in length.

On the ground they walk with a waddle and appear to be very clumsy, but in the air they are one of the most graceful birds you could ever see.  Waved Albatrosses are extremely loyal birds to each other whereby when a male finds a female mating partner, they will stay together and raise their chicks until one of them dies.

 And then it was time to head back to the yacht.

In the late morning we went snorkeling where the highlight was swimming with the baby sea lions.  They would mimic our actions in the water, twirling and checking us out.

In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay, a magnificent long, white sandy beach and enjoy a long stroll along the water's edge.

That evening we had our farewell dinner with the captain and crew where we said goodbye and thank you for a most wonderful adventure in the Galapagos.

The next morning we leave the yacht on San Cristobal Island.....