Early morning departure. The ferry companies require you to be at the pier 30 minutes before departure so we were there 6:30 AM, had our bags inspected and then waited until 7:15 before going on a small shuttle boat that took us 15 metres across the harbour to our "ferry" - for 50 Cent. Everything in Galapagos is money - cash only. It's still a mystery why the ferry didn't dock at the pier saving us the extra boat trip but we all have to live - right.
Our "ferry" was not a ferry. Instead it was a 600 HP powered ocean going speed boat where we shared the seats with some 20 other passengers. It turned out to be a two hour crossing with high waves and the boat bouncing up and down. Everybody held on as best as they could and hoped we would make it to the other side. Nothing to see on the trip except waves and more waves.
Sunday morning was also very quiet in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. We found a place that served breakfast and had the worst breakfast - perhaps on the entire trip so far. Then we found a dive shop, rented snorkelling equipment and got directions for the nearest beach. Just 15 minutes walking from town, behind the visitor centre. The beach - Playa Punta Carola - was nice, almost deserted and we saw turtles swimming close to the beach when we got there.
Spent all morning and a bit of the afternoon relaxing on the beach or in the water. Lots of fish, a few turtles and perfect conditions for snorkelling. We walked back to town around 2 PM to be at the boat 30 minutes before departure. The town was still quiet, and we waited for more than 45 minutes before the captain decided to take us all on board, the usual disorganised chaos about who can board and in which order. The trip back to Puerto Ayora was as least as bumpy as on the way out, but we made it back, waited for the taxi boat to take us to the pier and terra firma.
Head to food street for one last fish dinner but still super good food. Not sure whether to go for bumpy ride to Floreana tomorrow Malene decided to book another trip to Isla Santa Fe for some more snorkelling. It's a shorter boat ride and a better place for snorkelling. But still comes with a USD 90 price tag for a 6 hour day trip.
With a 60 USD price tag for a return ticket with the "ferry" it is definitely one of the cheaper options for DIY-day trips in the Galapagos. And you can easily get to a beach for swimming and snorkelling even though it might not be totally untouched as some of the other places where the cruises go to.
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| Waiting for the ferry in the morning |
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| Sea lions at the port |
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| Playa Punta Carola |
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| Sea lion playing around in the waves |
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| My beach |
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| Heading back to Puerto Ayora |
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| BBQ'd fish for dinner |
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| The red cabbage - the closest we'll get to Danish Christmas food this time |
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