AspiringNomad

I have seen various programmes documenting the wildlife across the 13 main islands of the Galapagos (shout out to BBC 1, Planet Earth). I have heard amazing things about the place from other travellers, but I wanted to start my trip with zero expectations.

Mainly because I have just had the most amazing 7 days in Ecuador (mainland), I didn’t want to be disappointed. However, disappointed is the last thing I am feeling. I am not sure whether it was the lack of sleep from the trip here or the hype from a lifetime of seeing this place as somewhere that seems just so far from Sandy Lane, but as we fly in to land with San Cristobal infront of us and Kicker Rock to the left, my eyes filled with happy tears!

I am greeted at the airport by Roberto, one of two sons of Nelly, who runs the hotel I am staying at: Casa De Nelly. He soon found out that it was my first time here, so before taking me to the hotel, he showed me the closest beach, and other tourist attractions, the Quay and all the restaurants and most importantly, the pharmacies and the ATM!

When I eventually arrived at Casa De Nelly, I met the second son of Nelly’s (his name is a little harder to remember). Just as helpful, they made me feel more than welcome and showed me to my room. A/C, big bed and private bathroom. What luxury!

Not wanting to waste any time, I got changed, hired a bike (I thought I better get back on one after my fall at Cotopaxi!) and headed to the nearest beach for some much needed R&R after the week I have just had! Sitting in a tucked away area, surrounded by seals and looking out across the Pacific, I attempted to call home. After a few faiked attempts, it was great to finally hear everyone’s voice (hopefully I will speak to Dad tomorrow). Just that experience in itself is one I won’t ever forget. Not everyone can say they spoke to their family on Point Carola Beach in the Galapagos! Once the phone calls had finished, I put on my mask and snorkle and took my first dip into the Pacific. The current was strong, so I was only up to waist height and took my time. As soon as I put my head underwater, I saw a giant turtle swimming around me and millions of fish!

As I started to feel the sun burning, I left the beach and wandered back to the hotel to wash and change. I headed to the nearby Playa Mann to start my evening. It’s a more popular beach spot and I had heard it was a great place to watch the sunset. Again, no disappointment there, the sun sets directly in front of the beach and with two nearby bars, I couldn’t ask for more!

Once the sun had disappeared, I strolled into town to grab a drink. Roberto had suggested the Post Office bar on the sea front (the name made me laugh). I laughed even more so when all the beers they had were apparently Czechs finest!

Once I took my seat and had my beer in hand, I looked up to see the Ecuador vs Colombia game was playing on the TV! Once I started paying attention to my surroundings, I noticed that half of the people in there were in Ecuador Football Club t-shirts! It suddenly became very lively and it instantly put a smile on my face as the cheering commenced. It was much more polite than what I have witnessed in English pubs, so I was more than happy to sit for a while and enjoy the Czech beer watching the Ecuador game in a pub in Galapagos!!

After a couple of Czechs finest, I headed to a sushi restaurant which I was told I MUST try. Since all the fish/seafood is fresh from the Galapagos, I was told it, ‘was better than the sushi in Japan!’ Quite a bold statement for someone who has never been to Japan! Having not been to Japan myself, I can’t compare, but it was really good sushi nonetheless.

I woke up at 6:30 this morning. Headed out of the hotel at 7am to hunt for some breakfast. I found one place to get coffee, stood on the Quay and drank it. I headed back to the hotel for 8:30am to be picked up for my tour. Unfortunately my phone hadn’t realised I was in a different time zone so it was still 7:30am!!

With an hour to spare, and slightly annoyed I woke up at 5:30am, I headed back to the Quay and had breakfast at a lovely local restaurant, fresh fruit and juice got me started for the day!

At 8:30am sharpish, I was picked up by Danny. ‘Is it just you?’ Were not the words I wanted to hear as I got into the empy 4×4. As it turns out, the hotel had booked me a tour that no one else was doing. So for 4hrs, Danny was my private guide! We went to see the giant tortoises, the blue footed boobies at the south of the island and as the heavens opened we took detour to Ecuadors widest tree, which you could climb down into! Despite it only being me on the tour, I was happy enough that I had explored the island. That was until Danny started to tell me that I had a lovely smile and asked for my WhatsApp! It ended all on a very strange note when he told me that we should go for a drink later. With no intention of doing so, I left the 4×4 feeling really bad. I was over the ordeal fairly quickly and still had the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the sunshine. This time, I headed to Playa Mann for some snorkelling and sunbathing. It was great drifting off to sleep as the seals made themselves at home around me.

I met a French girl who was also travelling on her own and had just arrived. She was so grateful that I had spoken to her and had a few recommendations. We were chatting about the Alps, Brittany and our travel plans for the next few weeks. Until at 5pm, I headed to Blue Evolution Dive Centre to get kitted up for tomorrow and Friday. The long wet suits and the shorty wetsuit to put over top ‘in case it gets cold’ had me feeling like I may have underestimated the temperature of the water. But I am excited none the less.

As I was already on the main strip of town, I headed back to The Post Office to have a drink whilst I watched the sunset. My appetite got the better of me and I asked for some shrimp (a starter option). Turns out portion sizes are not accounted for here and I am now too full to go and eat anything else. So naturally, I opt for a glass of their Chilean wine and took a look at some of the magnificent wildlife that I have photographed in the last 24hrs.

I am beyond excited for my dive tomorrow! I can only imagine what I am going to see. The Galapagos, despite being full of tourists, is a very relaxed, happy, safe, beautiful, nature-filled places with a lot to see and do! I think I can just about manage staying here for the next 3 days!