If you ever get the chance to go there take it with both hands . It really is the most unique environment. You can either imagine yourself as Adam and Eve walking through the garden of Eden or Charles Darwin pondering why animals birds and fish have developed so differently on differing islands . The islands themselves were a tug of war between many 19th and 20th century powers . At one stage Britain was offered them in reparation for debts incurred in helping Ecuador escape the Spanish yoke . We refused to take ownership of them . Who would want these barren islands ? Again after Pearl Harbour the USA occupied the islands to protect against incursions to the Panama. Canal.They tried to buy them unsuccessfully.

Access to the islands is closely controlled by Ecuador so that all boats keep to a route which avoids to many boats . We had a fantastic guide and the other 14 on the boat were good company. Everyday there would be a walk of some sort and a swim . I was in 6th heaven and was often allowed to swim back to the boat or from the boat to shore connecting with the two Zodiacs. The food was delicious. We were usually up before dawn and in bed by 9. We visited all the eastern islands 6 in all . They all had there unique wildlife . To swim and play with sea lions was a highlight for me . We often swam with turtles , hammerhead sharks , eagle rays . Nothing was too much for César our guide . All boats must have a natural history guide who also must be Ecuadorean. On one island there is a post box which was used by whalers and other sailors . It acted on a trust basis so that any sailor visiting a nearby port would deliver the letter . The tradition carries on and we intend to visit a 7 year old girl in New York who had left a letter there . We have contacted the school who are happy for us to visit . 

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/sep/16/postcard-secrets-galapagos-islands?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I’m hopeless at rembering names of all the amazing birds/ fish/ reptiles we saw but you may recognise some of them 

A few  of my own highlights to add:
( Ceri)

During a dawn snorkel I couldn’t believe there were so many 8 foot sharks swimming beneath us and not eating us. They’d had their breakfast. The fish were like swimming rainbows. 

And during the days, we could walk across the islands right past the birds, iguanas, sea lions etc and they ignored us completely. The whole of the Galápagos archipelago is a land and sea of wonder.

One evening at twilight we watched a heron creep stealthily around the turtles nests waiting patiently for a slight movement in the sand and the eggs to hatch. Just as we were about to leave the beach, like a flash it plunged its long sharp beak into the sand and pulled out a tiny baby turtle. It’s little legs were kicking wildly. “No no no” we cried. Then suddenly a big greedy frigate bird swooped in and stole the wriggling baby straight from the heron’s beak. Before we left, the heron managed to catch 2 more baby hatchlings. We all wanted to save them, but of course we couldn’t interfere. We could only hope that some of the babies would make it to the safety of the sea.  

The Galápagos Islands became the highlight of our trip and it was probably the most active week of our travels too. We never expected this cruise to be so wonderfully exhausting, fascinating and fun.

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