Saturday 21 December 2024 Highlights: Charles Darwin Research Station
Santa, Cruz, Ecuador
It was time to farewell the Galapagos Islands. Today we were squeezing in a visit to Charles Darwin Research Station as we missed that on our first day in the Galapagos.
Avianca Airlines Date: 21 December 2024 Flight Number: AV1633 Gate: 3 Seat: 8D & 8E (Economy) Plane: Airbus 320 First Leg Boarded: 11:08 First Leg Pushback: 11:26 (Scheduled 11:35) First Leg Take off: 11:35 First Leg Arrived: 14:08 (Note 1 hour time zone change) Second Leg Pushback: 15:16 Second Leg Take off: 15:28 Second Leg Arrived: 16:01 Distance: 1,453 km (first leg 1,171 km and second leg 282 km)
Friday 20 December 2024 Highlights: The red sand of Rábida Island, pink flamingos, sea lion playing with us when snorkelling
Our last full day abroad the Reina Silvia Voyager had arrived. After a rough sailing night, we enjoyed breakfast today wondering what new creature or landscape we would experience today.
Thursday 19 December 2024 Highlights: Walking on old lave flows, Finding Penguins, Swimming with Sharks, Treking for a great view.
We started today with a visit to Sullivan Bay part of Santiago Island. This area had a major volcano eruption over a hundred years ago. As there is little rain in this area the now hard former lava creates unusual patterns.
Wednesday 18 December 2024 Highlights: Darwin Bay hike, Hammerhead Sharks found when snorkelling, Prince Phillip’s Steps hike.
Day 6 of the Galapagos Tour again was action-packed. We had two hikes, snorkelling and kayaking on the agenda. We had so much to do that breakfast today started at 6.30 am.
Sunset – South Plazas Island (Galapagos Islands), Ecuador
Tuesday 17 December 2024 Highlights: Hiking on Santa Fe Island, Kayaking, Snorkelling with Sea Lions, Hiking on South Plazas Island
A massive day ahead meant excited people for breakfast. Today we are visiting two islands. The first was Santa Fe Island which we arrived at around 4 am. I noticed my Fitbit doesn’t think I’m sleeping as I’m moving during the night, or more accurately the catamaran is rocking.
Monday 16 December 2024 Highlights: Coastal ride around San Cristobal Island, Snorkelling, Exploring a beautiful beach, Searching for sea life and finding Orcas!
For our first activity of the day, we had the option of doing a ‘Power Hike’ at Pitt Point on San Cristobal Island (physical condition needed: High) or you could do a zodiac ride around the coast. Erin opted for the power hike whereas I opted for the coastal ride.
Today was our first full day in our new home for the week, the Reina Silvia Voyager. I woke up a little earlier than planned. There was some rocking of the catamaran during the night as we moved from Santa Cruz Island to Española Island but I slept okay despite the movements.
Giant tortoise – Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos Islands), Ecuador
Saturday 14 December 2024 Highlights: Giant tortoises, the Santa Cruz Island landscape, exploring the Reina Silvia Voyager
We were up before 4 am to prepare for our early morning flight to the Galapagos Islands. A breakfast pack was waiting for us as we boarded our transport for the airport.
Avianca Airlines Date: 14 December 2024 Flight Number: AV1632 Gate: A Seat: 21C & 21D (Economy) Plane: Airbus 320 First Leg Boarded: 07:27 (Group E 0:37) First Leg Pushback: 08:06 (Scheduled 07:51) First Leg Take off: 08:19 First Leg Arrived: 09:03 (Scheduled 09:14) First Leg Actual Duration: 57 minutes Second Leg Boarded: 09:53 Second Leg Pushback: 10:34 Second Leg Take off: 10:47 Second Leg Arrived: 11:31 Second Leg Actual Duration: 1 hour 57 minutes Distance: 1,453 km (first leg 282 km and second leg 1,171 km)
