Review of the month: Celebrity Xpedition at Galapagos Islands

On Sunday we left for the airport after a buffet breakfast. A short ride to the airport and then our flight out to the Galapagos Islands. Again, all luggage was transported and put aboard the plane out to the Islands. I was a little concerned about the 30# limit on luggage, but it was not a problem. I had plenty of clothing to last the week and laundry service was available on board the ship. We were also allowed 15# in a personal backpack. We flew into Baltra airport and were bussed to the dock to board the zodiac, a rubber raft that took us out to the ship. These rafts were to transport us (16 people at a time) to each island for our expeditions each day.   Because there are 5 zodiacs for the ship, the 92 passengers and luggage was all taken to the ship in record time. A buffet lunch was set up on board and our exciting adventure began!

Our first stop was the island of North Seymour. You had a choice of low intensity or high intensity expedition. The major attraction here is the colony of Frigate birds. We were hoping to see a male Frigate bird with its red throat pouch fully extended in order to attract females. We were in luck and also saw many breeding pairs of Blue-footed Boobies on eggs or with chicks. There are many photo opportunities as animals are everywhere. Sea lions are on every island we visited and always seemed ready to “pose” for us.

Early on Monday morning there was a zodiac ride around Kicker Rock before a huge buffet breakfast at the Darwin’s Restaurant. After breakfast there was a trip to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno where an interpretation center shows the layout of the islands as well as some interesting facts about the flora and fauna. We also had some free time on the main street of the little town. We took the zodiacs back to the ship, had lunch at the Beagle Grill where they offered fresh grilled sea bass. You also had a choice of eating lunch at the Darwin’s Restaurant where they offered an international buffet. In the afternoon anyone that wanted to snorkel was given their gear. The lecture series started and the topic was “Geology of the Galapagos Islands” in the discovery lounge. At 4:00 there was a low intensity and a high intensity hike to choose from at our next stop, Espanola Island. This island has a high concentration of wildlife including the Galapagos Hawk, Marine Iquana, Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies, and sea lions. We also saw an impressive blow hole at the edge of the cliffs where water gushes 50 feet into the air, similar to a geyser.

On Tuesday morning we woke to Floreana Island-our first snorkeling opportunity. There was a medium intensity or a advanced snorkeling activity. The zodiac took us to shore for a “wet landing”. This means that the zodiac can only get within a few feet of the shoreline and you have to get out into the water and wade in. The snorkeling is wonderful and the Boobies and Penguins are diving for fish around the swimmers! This island is where we saw a beautiful lagoon filled with Flamingoes! We also saw many types of finches. We also had the good fortune of seeing a sea turtle laying her eggs up on the dunes. She covered her eggs and started back towards the water. Because of our group watching her, we think she was disoriented and started heading across the lava rock rather than down the sandy beach. She fell on the rocks and got wedged in between two pieces of lava rock. Our naturalist and one other had to lift her out and put her back onto the sand. Normally the animals are not to be touched but because we may have caused her to be disoriented the naturalists thought it best to help. Only 1-2% of the nestlings survive adulthood. The afternoon offered another high intensity or low intensity trips to Floreana Island.

Wednesday morning and we are now at Bachas Beach on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. This morning we have a choice of a wet landing to search for Flamingoes or a chance to go to the beach. The Pacific green sea turtles are everywhere in the water, making nests, and laying eggs.  After returning back onboard and having lunch, we continue on to Bartolome Island.

This afternoon there are two activities. The high intensity activity is a wet landing at Bartolome Island and a two and half hour hike to the top of a volcano cone. From the top you can view 28 islands! The other activity is also a wet landing but a low or medium intensity hike. Tonight we have a “Crossing the Line” party as we pass into the Northern Hemisphere. Both bars are open and people are all in a festive mood as they talk about what they’ve experienced so far.