Galapagos Islands, Day 3

Again we heard the boat bell early to tell us it was time to disembark. The boat had set sail just prior to dawn so as we stepped out into bright sunshine we were anchored at a new island 'Sombrero Chino' (Chinese Hat). We boarded the panga and headed across the smooth turquoise water toward the white sand beach. The blackness of the marine iguanas was a stark contrast to the pure white of the old coral sand. A short walk took us across to the open side of the island where more marine iguanas and crabs basked on the lava rocks amongst the huge waves that crashed against the rocks. As we headed back to the beach we watched a seal pup desperately trying to find a human playmate. It amused itself trying to pick up someone’s backpack and then jumped into the water as the panga arrived waiting to surprise the first person off the boat. Ollie was so desperate to get in the water he was almost physically shaking with excitement but the guide told us we had to head back. We laughed watching an unsuspecting stereotypically-dressed German tourist wade into the water and getting the shock of his life when the seal jumped up right in front of him. The guy did a quick glance around to see if anyone saw, his expression, 'I wasn't scared, much' and almost falling as he couldn't get out of the water quick enough.

Snacks back at the boat then we jumped back on the panga to go snorkeling. This time we jumped off the panga into deep water with the possibility of seeing rays or sharks. I heard the guide shout shark and calmly swam across to see the animal, as we were told to do as splashes scare them off. I was right next to the guide following his pointing hand about to see my first shark when I was hit from the side, got lots of bubbles in my vision then smacked in the face by a hard plastic flipper. Ollie’s approach was as gentile as a bull in a china shop, he swam as gracefully as Godzilla doing ballet, splashing and kicking everyone who had calmly gathered to see the shark, scared it, proceeded to chase it and upset everyone in the process. No apology, just 'they are fast', he suggested that if I’d have chased it too I might have seen it. I kept to myself the thought that if something as stupidly crazy as him in the water was chasing me, I’d be fast too.

Back at the boat we set sail to James Bay on Santiago. It was going to take around 3hrs so lunchtime then siesta. The sea didn't look rough but our boat being small and tall felt everything. It was funny seeing the green faces of some passengers turning down food as one minute you saw sky through the windows, the next deep blue ocean. The soup was eaten quickly to stop it spilling and as you placed the water glass down with your left hand, one second later you could pick it up with your right hand as it glided along the table with the waves. Trying to walk was even better, almost like the comical steps the old fashioned Star Trek actors would take when their spaceship was crashing. Ollie went to lie down (he felt poorly) and I played Titanic, on my own ;( at the front of the boat basking in the sun and sea spray waiting for the never-appearing dolphins.

At the black sand beach of James Bay we headed back into the sea for some snorkeling. Each time you get in the water you’re surprised by the vast amount of fish, every colour under the sun, it almost becomes expected but never disappoints. At one point a huge shawl of fish swam towards me followed by the biggest sea lion I’ve seen yet. It was an adult female hunting, she swam right up and under my stomach so close I was waiting for the hit as she pushed me aside. We then swam into a very shallow bay just off a beach, and there, probably only 2m in from the beach was a sea turtle eating. You could hear it pulling up the algae and intermittently snorting as it came up for air. We were all sat just watching it, not once did it seem to acknowledge us, just carried on munching. As we headed back towards the other end of the beach we noticed some penguins so swam towards them, as we got close a seal lion pup appeared obviously wanting to play. Ollie, only a child mentally himself, grinned and started diving down in the water. Now, if you hear Ollie’s version the sea lion was copying him, I was the eye witness. A sea lion is graceful and agile in the water, Ollie is not. It is true Ollie would move forward, the sea lion would, Ollie would forward roll, and the sea lion would. But the whole time it appeared the pup was smiling, taking the micky out of Ollie 'you call that a dive?...'. We were called back to shore and as we got out of the ocean the little pup appeared next to us, also walking up onto the beach, looking at us with puppy dog eyes, begging us to return to the water. I want a pet sea lion pup.

We headed across the island to see the natural pools and the nocturnal fur seals that frequent them. The sun was hot and marine iguanas were out in force enjoying the heat. Ollie was not enjoying the sun, he had taken it upon himself to play Jesus by wearing socks and sandals and a huge Hawaiian beach towel as a skirt. I swear some people were taking photos of the strange human to add to their Galapagos species collection.

Back to the boat for the last night we enjoyed a glass of wine as the sun set, ate our last evening meal on the Amigo and slept soundly as the boat overnight sailed to Santa Cruz.