24th July 2025 at 06:37 - Damian

24th July 2025 at 06:37 - Damian

24th July 2025 at 06:31 - Damian

24th July 2025 at 06:29 - Damian

At the fish market in Puerto Ayora they're not allowed to feed the wildlife but I've got a feeling they do from time to time.

A pelican watching a heron watching a sealion watching the fishmonger.

24th July 2025 at 06:04 - Damian

Update on the cranium. I went to the local public hospital in Puerto Ayora where, with the help of Roberto our guide as interpreter, they x-rayed my skull to check for damage (none), removed our emergency dressings (compliments to Roberto on his handiwork), cleaned everything up and redressed.

Total cost? $0.

Hooray for socialised healthcare!

I had to buy $18 worth of ibuprofen and dressings from the pharmacy. I'm also good to keep snorkeling and have bought a dashing silver latex swimming cap.

23rd July 2025 at 11:02 - Damian

Here's the footage I was trying to get when I bonked my bonce (at 0:24). Disappointingly it wasn't even that great.

23rd July 2025 at 06:37 - Damian

I did a boo-boo. We were snorkeling in a cave and I borrowed someone's GoPro to dive down and film the people and the fish above in the gorgeous blue of the water.

Coming back up for air I didn't realise I'd drifted under the overhang and hit my head on the volcanic rock under water. Managed to not swallow water, found the surface and swam to the nearest inflatable boat where they washed the cuts and got me to the boat for disinfection and bandages.

We're going to be near Santa Cruz island tomorrow where I'll pop in to the doctor's there to see if I need antibiotics.

I'm disappointed that this may jeopardise future snorkeling on this trip. We'll see.

22nd July 2025 at 12:15 - Damian

Some pics from our walk up Isla Bartolomé.

22nd July 2025 at 12:03 - Damian

Lava cactus. The only species of its genus.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava_cactus

22nd July 2025 at 10:59 - Damian

Great frigatebirds fly like how I imagine pterodactyls flew.

22nd July 2025 at 10:55 - Damian

Great frigatebird

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_frigatebird

22nd July 2025 at 07:56 - Damian

Tiquilia nesiotica (grey matplant)[1] is endemic to the Galapagos. It survives the dry volcanic environment by capturing moisture in its hairy leaves. Its tiny flowers attract insects which in turn feed lizards who feed hawks. Etc, etc.

1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiquilia_nesiotica

22nd July 2025 at 07:41 - Damian

A Sally Lightfoot crab. They are not frightened of anything.

22nd July 2025 at 07:27 - Damian

Here's a juvenile Galapagos hawk eating a lava lizard. Unfortunately missed the bit where it swooped past our legs to pounce on the victim.

No shortage of snacks for these guys!

22nd July 2025 at 07:22 - Damian

22nd July 2025 at 07:05 - Damian

Snorkeling off Isla Bartolomé today. I didn't take any photos so relying on those others took.

Absolutely incredible abundance of life.

22nd July 2025 at 00:52 - Damian

22nd July 2025 at 00:20 - Damian

Our first excursion was to a tortoise sanctuary on the southeastern side of San Cristóbel where they're having great success with a breeding program.

After that we had beers in the main town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno followed by welcome cocktails and dinner on the boat.

We slept like logs last night despite the fact we were on the move to Isla Bartolomé most of the night.

21st July 2025 at 07:04 - Damian

Our cabin. Shower with a view and a small balcony.

21st July 2025 at 06:57 - Damian

We've made it to our home for the next week or so. The Grand Queen Beatriz. Accommodates 16 passengers, 8 crew and one guide.

We're starting from Isla San Cristóbel.

On the way to the tender on the wharf we saw sea lions, great frigates (of the bird variety), a pelican, a turtle, a lizard of some kind and heaps of Sally Lightfoot crabs. The place is alive!