Jodie and I spent a week in the Galapagos islands in April. There were a lot of animals!

Day One

Fly into Santa Cruz, the biggest populated island. Met by an iguana. Checked out a sinkhole on the way to our accommodation. Lunch at Bahía Mar, where a sea lion had reserved the choicest tables. Excellent vegan ceviche!

Walked around the Charles Darwin Research Centre and saw some giant tortoises.

Sea Lion Giant tortoises

Day Two

Small group boat ride to Plaza Sur, a tiny island that’s only a mile to walk around. Sea lion pups playing in the shallows and iguanas. Struggled around a short run in afternoon heat.

Jodie watching sea lions Iguana
Jodie watching sea lion pups play (left), and a Yellow Land Iguana (right)

Day Three

Hike to Tortuga Bay. More iguanas. A baby hammerhead shark in the shallows. Afternoon ferry to the second biggest populated island, San Cristobel. Dinner at Midori Sushi Pub, excellent food and cocktails.

Iguana Shark
Jodie hiking Lizard

Day Four

Morning run to Playa Loberia.

Loberia
The view from the end of the trail looking back towards Playa Loberia.

Small group boat ride to Playa Cerro Brujo to hang out of a bit, then on to snorkelling at kicker rock, a boot shaped rock formation off the coast. Jodie free dove with sea lions, turtles, sharks, the lot.

In the afternoon visited the local beaches of San Cristobel. Jodie swam with sea lions pups while I hiked around the rocks.

Sea Lion Pelican

Repeat dinner at Midori Sushi Pub.

Day Five

Sunrise run on northern trails for me, walk along the foreshore for Jodie, before flying out to Quito.

Sunrise view Sea lions on the beach

Day Six (bonus)

We had a full day in Quito before our flight. Caught the cable car up to 4,100m for some incredible views of the city … except it was covered in cloud. Went for a run around the city and Parque La Carolina

Jodie swinging over Quito Xavier mid-run
The view this swing looks out over all of Quito ... when it isn't cloudy.

Miscellany

Vegan food relatively plentiful. Accommodation provided breakfasts, and boats provided lunch — simple but sufficient.

It’s a long way away. Melbourne to LA or San Francisco, then to Quito via Houston, then to Santa Cruz island with a touchdown at Guayaquil on the way. About 36 hours all up. Thankfully we were already in the US prior to shorten the trip and so only the return trip was excessive.

Would have benefited from brushing up our Spanish a bit beforehand, but you can muddle through anything with phone translation.

Beach