Galapagos Islands - Puerto Ayora - 18-19th of September 2006

Wow. Today we saw giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies and lava tunnels. The tortoises were the most impressive. We decided to bike to the inner part of the island with the intention of getting to the lava tunnels and tortoise farm. Just as we were despairing that all the bikes here were an absolute disaster we found some bikes that mum approved of and set off inland - most of the bikes failed on brake tests and tread. The bike guy suggested taking the local bus to the high point of the island where the twin sink hole are and riding back from there. It seemed like a reasonable suggestion, so we gave it a shot, but the bus operator didn{t like the idea of taking bikes so we set off on our own instead. It was actually a very pleasant ride (decidedly uphill) with a nice misty rain most of the way. Mum wasnt keen to ride all the way to Santa Rosa where the tortoises were, but we made it.
















The road (very long driveway) at the tortoise farm was great fun to ride down although a bit harder to ride back up. I was quite worried for a moment when mum suddenly gasped, I thought the chain had come off her bike but when I looked up I saw a huge tortoise in the middle of the road. After multiple photos we continued down the road only to find several more tortoises on the road including one huge one and at the farm itself they were everywhere. They have really cool necks (really long) and they hiss at you when you get too close.

We eventually left there and got 2 offers for rides back into town (after not getting any on the way out) and accepted the second one as it was getting later and $1 each seemed like a bargain. Mum got a seat inside with about 5 kids, 2 mothers and the driver and I jumped on the back with the bikes, and a guy from the tortoise farm. We we then joined by 2 more people along the way and it was the fasted I have ever travelled on the back of a ute - kinda freaky actually.

After a very quick trip to the hotel to get togs and clean legs we headed for the beach . Tortuga bay. Walking between the 2 bays we just about walked on a group of marine iguanas (see photo) beside the path and for the second time today mum was completely shocked and couldnt believe that they were actually right there. You really can get close to the wildlife here. We also saw a Blue Footed Boobie (in the photo) and some very friendly little birds on the beach. Everyone has raved about how amazing Bahia Tortuga is and it lived up to its reputation - the fine golden sand and completely shelted bay are just amazing. We didnt manage a swim as it was getting late and not all that hot, but we will be back to swim and hopefully explore a bit by kayak.