Monday, 18 August 2014
Breakfast at 7 am, fruits, cereal and omelette, then to Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island for a short trek. Here I saw land iguanas, the males are apparently confused, it is not the mating season but because of changes in the weather, they become colorful anyway, yellow underbellies and red skin. This is to attract females but none will come because it is not the mating season. Also lizards and finches. The island is the most populated in the entire Galápagos Islands, a population of about 24,000 people who are mostly farmers. It is the third largest island. The largest is Isabella, followed by James, Santa Cruz and San Christobal. The guide told us that the sharks we saw last night were the Galapagos sharks, they are fierce!
Then snorkeling, I saw a ray and a turtle but no photos. We have to tip the crew and the guide and I'm trying to find out from the rest what they are tipping but everyone seems to be so tight lipped, the selfish bastards. I have an added problem, most of the people here are on a cruise for only 5 days so they leave tomorrow, and Laura and I will continue staying here with a new guide and new crew. So I asked our guide, Alphonse, whether I have to tip twice and he said it is really up to me. So confusing! I think for this crew I'm inclined to tip USD20 and the guide USD10. I'll see when it comes to the next crew.
Snorkeling again at 1.30 pm. At the Isle of Eden. From the dinghy, I saw sea lions, turtles, blue footed boobies, a blue heron, and a ray. Now back on the boat to Porta Ayora, where there will be a change of crew as well as guide. They said we can get off at Porta Ayora, a small town, and walk around, and there is free wi fi! I'm charging my phone now so that I can answer all my messages, I'm sure all at home must be worried sick! I would be, too if the roles were reversed. Like the time Amma went to Australia on her own.
After dinner we went to town. I walked with Sophia, away from the group. She really doesn't like them and neither do I. She wanted to buy a t-shirt but it was too expensive. I bought 3 souvenirs costing USD 9 in total. Because it's a tourist area, the prices are ridiculous. I wanted to look for wifi but you had to go into a restaurant and get the password. The others were having beers, Sophia told me to join them and she just refused to sit down with them even for a while! I sat down with them out of necessity, and sent a few hurried whatsapp messages and emails. Apparently my tenant wants to move out this month, this is ridiculous, I paid the agent a months' rent as his agency fees, and the tenant is moving out after only 5 months! I told Philip to check the tenancy agreement and to try and sort it out, I'll get in touch with him again after I get back on dry land.
It's so sad, I have become really close to Sophia and I will miss her when she leaves tomorrow. I hope the new people on the boat turn out to be better than these people. Gah!
Breakfast at 7 am, fruits, cereal and omelette, then to Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island for a short trek. Here I saw land iguanas, the males are apparently confused, it is not the mating season but because of changes in the weather, they become colorful anyway, yellow underbellies and red skin. This is to attract females but none will come because it is not the mating season. Also lizards and finches. The island is the most populated in the entire Galápagos Islands, a population of about 24,000 people who are mostly farmers. It is the third largest island. The largest is Isabella, followed by James, Santa Cruz and San Christobal. The guide told us that the sharks we saw last night were the Galapagos sharks, they are fierce!
Then snorkeling, I saw a ray and a turtle but no photos. We have to tip the crew and the guide and I'm trying to find out from the rest what they are tipping but everyone seems to be so tight lipped, the selfish bastards. I have an added problem, most of the people here are on a cruise for only 5 days so they leave tomorrow, and Laura and I will continue staying here with a new guide and new crew. So I asked our guide, Alphonse, whether I have to tip twice and he said it is really up to me. So confusing! I think for this crew I'm inclined to tip USD20 and the guide USD10. I'll see when it comes to the next crew.
Snorkeling again at 1.30 pm. At the Isle of Eden. From the dinghy, I saw sea lions, turtles, blue footed boobies, a blue heron, and a ray. Now back on the boat to Porta Ayora, where there will be a change of crew as well as guide. They said we can get off at Porta Ayora, a small town, and walk around, and there is free wi fi! I'm charging my phone now so that I can answer all my messages, I'm sure all at home must be worried sick! I would be, too if the roles were reversed. Like the time Amma went to Australia on her own.
After dinner we went to town. I walked with Sophia, away from the group. She really doesn't like them and neither do I. She wanted to buy a t-shirt but it was too expensive. I bought 3 souvenirs costing USD 9 in total. Because it's a tourist area, the prices are ridiculous. I wanted to look for wifi but you had to go into a restaurant and get the password. The others were having beers, Sophia told me to join them and she just refused to sit down with them even for a while! I sat down with them out of necessity, and sent a few hurried whatsapp messages and emails. Apparently my tenant wants to move out this month, this is ridiculous, I paid the agent a months' rent as his agency fees, and the tenant is moving out after only 5 months! I told Philip to check the tenancy agreement and to try and sort it out, I'll get in touch with him again after I get back on dry land.
It's so sad, I have become really close to Sophia and I will miss her when she leaves tomorrow. I hope the new people on the boat turn out to be better than these people. Gah!
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