After North Seymour the ship sailed to Sullivan Bay, Santiago during lunch. We were not here to see animals, but volcanoes. I did not even know there were volcanoes in the Galapagos. But there are, so the afternoon hike was to cross some not-too-recent lava flows. This hike is the first to be rated "Challenging". … Continue reading Onboard

This morning we visited North Seymour Island and had another dry landing, but the climb was not nearly as difficult as Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa.  Here’s another picture of the Silver Origin’s rear dock.  The Zodiacs use power to stay pushed against the dock and each passenger is helped aboard.  Then it’s the short … Continue reading North Seymour

Genovesa's Prince Philip’s Steps is a 25 meter high mostly-natural series of “steps” that leads up to a plateau for wildlife.  My guide said it was named for when Price Philip (of the UK) visited back in the 1970s he tripped and busted his lip open on the rocks.  I don’t know about that, but … Continue reading Genovesa Afternoon

Finally.  It’s exploring time. The Islands The Itinerary Over the night we sailed to Genovesa Island, which it the northern most island of our cruise.  With the number of passengers, the guides divided us into two groups that swap hikes in the morning and afternoon.  My group got the Darwin Bay nature walk for the … Continue reading Genovesa Morning

The airport is about a 45-minute bus ride from downtown Quito.  Once there we moved our luggage to the airline counter, I notice a blue zip-ties on the zippers – I assume indicating that our luggage was inspected by the park authorities. During the bus I ride I was struck by the age difference of … Continue reading Galapagos Arrival