Our 14-day adventure in the Galapagos Islands began on July 26 as we landed on tiny Isla Baltra and immediately made our way south to Isla Santa Cruz, checking in to Hotel Espana in Puerto Ayora, where we spent 6 nights. After scrambling around a bit to ensure successful booking of some popular day trips to other islands which are in limited supply in high season, we began to settle in to travel mode.

We spent Saturday inland in the Santa Cruz highlands, strolling among the giant tortoises, hiking through lava tunnels that were formed from the hardening of the outer layer of volcanic lava and checking out Los Gemelos where massive sink holes resulted from the cratering of land covering old lava tunnels . Sunday was a day to check out Tortuga Bay (still on Santa Cruz), by far the most beautiful beach that we've seen anywhere on this Earth, characterized by soft white sand, mangroves, gorgeous Opuntia cactus trees with leather like brown bark, black lava stone, pristine water and loads of wildlife everywhere, from marine iguanas in the process of re-energizing themselves in the sun to wildly colourful crab to blue footed boobies and finches.

On Tuesday, we did a day trip to Isla North Seymour where mating season allowed us to observe the macho blue footed boobies and frigates doing everything in their power to attract mates. The male boobies were doing little dances and wistling while the male frigates were blowing up their red balloons as much as possible and rubbing their beaks against them to attract attention. Female boobies were protecting their newborn and eggs while it was the male frigates who protected their young. Land iguanas and sea lions were also roaming about.

On Wednesday we headed out to Isla Santiago and Isla Bartolome for the day ... beauty! Isla Santiago is a very young island, only 150 years old, sporting very interesting lava formations. Isla Bartolome is the most picturesque of the islands.

Sometimes the animals stare at us as if to say 'this is my space, what are you doing here?', but they are so tame and generally just go about their daily business as if we were not even here. The finches are pretty special ... they just set themselves down on your big toe or on your head. We feel like paparazzi in these parts and the wildlife are willing participants ... we are privileged by their generosity.

We are off to Isla Isabela in the morning and will provide another update from there.