So I have some questions but first day four. (In fact I am going to answer the questions in the next post so I can get this one online. Sorry to give you so much to read but there is so much happening.) We are still having an amazing time. How amazing a time? Well the route we are traveling on this week on Flora is called the Outside Route. It hits certain islands. Celebrity (by direction of the Galapagos National Park) must have two different routes with alternating schedules. So to tell you how much we are now enjoying this trip we were actually discussing at lunch coming back in the future to do the Inner Route. When we had dinner with the Captain and the Chief Engineer they both told us that their favorite island was Bartolome and it was on the Inside Route. So maybe we have to see that. ?
On day four both our tours were on Isabella Island, the largest of the archipelago. Here’s today’s schedule:
In the morning I chose the long walk and Kathleen chose the short walk. I should also tell you that as you can see they also combined both of those with an “extended tender ride” which meant that after our long walk we took the long way back to the ship stopping to take pics at very slow speed. We saw so much. BTW: The “very rocky trail” was hardened lava. And since this was dry landing we had to get off on lava and we stayed on it for almost the entire way. Most of our “long walks” are about two miles but over very rocky trails. The lava varied between types but no matter which type it was (and I know what the types are but I can’t spell them. I will see if I can find Ellen our resident (for our cruise) scientist and get the rights ones.).
One other thing I want to say before I drop in the pics is that so far, this was my best day photographically. I took a photo which I consider my second best shot ever. See if you can figure out which one it is. Those of you who follow me on FB and Insta already should have a good clue. Remember, if you look at these photos on a computer or a tablet, you can click a photo and use your arrow keys to go through a slide show at full screen.
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- Looking at Isabella from the ship
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- One of our outstanding Galapagos naturalists
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- Dr. Ellen Prager, the chief scientific consultant to Celebrity Cruises. She became a good friend and hiking companion. Google her. You will be impressed.
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- A lone cactus pokes itself out of the hardened lava
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- This lava cactus also grows directly out of the lava. No access to water at all. The yellow is new growth.
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- Cactus Closeup
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- In the middle of the lava fields are these green oasis
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- A single mangrove has taken root in the lava
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- A sea turtle. One of my favorite shots.
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- A yellow warbler
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- Found another Galapagos snake
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- A different lone cactus on a landscape that resembles the moon
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- With an oasis in the middle of it
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- And it was here we found
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- Something really special
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- Saw some frigate birds fighting over fish
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- Flamingos in the wild
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- Because as you will see
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- Here they can fly.
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- Because unlike in a zoo..
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- where they have to trim their…
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- feathers to keep them…
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- from flying away…
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- this is nature
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- Psst. This is it. My new 2nd favorite photo.
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- More flamingos
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- More flamingos
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- Last one. They are such great color
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- OK, from far away.
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- The lava was awesome even if it was tough to walk on
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- Back on our Zodiac slow ride we saw this marine iguana
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- These Sally Lightfoot Crabs
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- More marine iguanas
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- And PENGUINS!
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- Galapagos penguins are the second smallest species of penguins
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- More blue footed boobys
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- I wanted to show you how close people can get to the animals in the islands. It is amazing.
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- More boobys.
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- And more
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- A very nice pelican
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- And more boobies
See you soon with answers to your questions and about food! And then I will tell you about day four’s afternoon excursions.
Awesome pictures. Amazing.
I was guessing that your new 2nd favorite photo was the landscape at the beginning of this post. I smiled when you identified your new second favorite, because that is my favorite in this blog entry as well. So glad you were able to see flamingos in the wild. I’ve only ever seen them in the wild in Florida and am looking forward to seeing them in the Galapagos when my husband and I go later this year on the Xploration. You have seen boatloads and more of wildlife!!!
Julie, have you ever seen my favorite photo I have ever taken? Here it is: https://jktravelredmond.com/2020/02/29/one-photo-i-love/
Ok, I never saw Flamingos ? swimming before! Great photos, and another reason to not slip on lava rock is the presence of cacti ? I don’t want your trip to end!!!!!
Don’t worry Susan, I am only up to the morning of day 4. And we haven’t even gotten to day seven here. I will be posting for at least another week after we have left just to catch up. Stay with me. I have to stop doing the day and talk about the food because after all, this is a cruise.
Oh, I am anxiously awaiting each day’s post… good thing I ‘subscribe’ to your blog and receive an email when there is a posting. Right now I am able to respond almost as soon as you post…. hmmm, no, I am not stalking your blog ?
Love the flamingos! My guess for your favorite was between your actual choice and the second of the two flamingos and their reflection in the water! Such an enjoyable and interesting travel experience…Thank you for taking your “fans” along!!!
Looks like you are having an incredible time and I for one, fully appreciate the work in putting these posts up when time is limited. A BIG thank you from me. ??
Its the one that’s missing from the clickables… or. The crack and feet. Love the birds.
Keep em coming.
Fyi view of pics different on email and WP Link.
That’s why I say, “Don’t look at them in the e-mail.