Las Islas Galapagos - Dia 1

A 6AM wake up got me to the airport and onto Isla Baltra in the Galapagos Islands where I met our guide, Andres, and the rest of the passengers for the cruise around the Galapagos, a cool German guy called Tom, an Italian called Fabrizio, 3 Spaniards, an older American couple and a tour group of 8 Dutch, all ready to board the yacht that would be our home for the next 4 or 8 days.

My first glimpse of the Islands came as we were flying over them. Their green-blue waters peeking through the clouds long enough for me to make out waves crashing upon volcanic shores and cliffs. The islands looked surprisingly desolate considering the amount of wildlife they host. I was expecting lush greens but it turned out we'd come during the dry season, when the trees shed their leaves to conserve water. You can see adaptation in every plant and animal here and it's no wonder Darwin conceived his theory of evolution on these islands some 170 years before.

I didn't have to wait long before I was face to face with the Islands fearless wildlife. On the wharf where we boarded the ship there were a few sea lions lazing on wooden benches that I'm sure weren't meant for them. There was an impressive smell of wet dog surrounding them and they didn't bat an eyelid as the latest load of tourists, two planeloads full, staggered past, mouths open and cameras snapping.

Our yacht, the Floreana, was built for 16 passengers plus crew and was a good size for seeing the Islands. Most of the 100 tour boats working here are a similar size, though there are some that handle 80 passengers.

The first day was very relaxed and we went to Black Turtle Cove, where we saw Marine Iguanas, Flamingos, hundreds of bright red crabs and thousands of Boobies in a flock diving into the waters as they fished for… fish. All of the animals displayed the same nonchalant attitude of the sea lions, considering us with a passing interest at best. That is the real beauty of the Galapagos Islands, being so remote the animals weren't really hunted by man and so have no concept of fear. I feel a little sad seeing what animals were like before we started hunting and killing them. As I learnt during the following days, I'm writing this from Quito after the cruise, that that lack of fear, combined with the animals curiosity, gave me some of the most incredible experiences of my life, that I will never forget.