Galapagos Islands: Blue Footed Boobies, Tortugas & Dances with Sea Lions

The Galapagos Islands were AMAZING. It’s a tough call on which was cooler, Machu Picchu or the Galapagos. At this point I’d have to say its a tie. Needless to say it was an experience that I won’t soon forget.

Estrella Del Mar. The view from the veranda.

The local Fish Market. Every couple of hours a new boat would roll in with fresh catches. The fish were big, cheap and fresh.

Luxury cruise liner the Angelique.

All of the amenities of home. Joe said he felt like he was at Montage.

Blue footed boobie at .5 meter away.

Frigate bird during mating season.

Iguana sunning himself.

Lizard sunning himself.

Me and Joe on one of the Islas.

Mother Sea Lion trying to bite me as I took a picture of the baby sea lion.  It was a close call.  As I turned to run away, I ran over an elderly Polish woman.  She was a little upset.

Me swimming with 10,000 fish.

Me examining white tip reef sharks. We actually were swimming with some reef sharks at another site. Didn’t get any picts of them though.

Me swimming with giant sea tortuga.

Me syncronized swimming with a sea lion.

Me in the crane position about to karate kick the sea lion.

Gordon Rocks is were Joe and I convinced our guide to allow us to snorkel in the open water. I think its the first and last time Enrique lets anyone go swimming between those rocks. The current was fierce and Joe and I almost got swept out to sea.

Me with a baby sea lion. They love the “facial hair”

Last night on the Angelique as we sailed into Baltra.

More pictures available here:

Joe also has a ton of pictures esp the underwater shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8109862@N08/collections/72157600181496713/