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Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247310 11/09/16 12:37 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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I am not a snorkler but there are always snorkeling opportunitiies and everyone seems pretty happy. Maybe Kim and Alice will comment at some point. This is so busy for those that do everything no time to post. Of course Kim and Alice are doing everything.

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247311 11/09/16 04:06 PM
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Ken Offline
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Rabida Island, Galapagos:

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Galapagos Flycatcher.

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American Oystercatcher.

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American Flamingo.

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Galapagos Mockingbird.

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Galapagos Hawk.

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Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247315 11/10/16 05:23 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Darn I just wrote a post and lost it.

YESTERDAY morning we went to the San Cristobal Tortoise Breeding Center. We saw huge and very tiny tortoise. It was really very interesting. We had a private bus for our group so that made it more fun.

In the afternoon there was a hike and an "afternoon at the beach with snorkeling".

Last night was so much fun. We had a dinner on the deck for the whole group and Jerry started singing. The piano player was loving it and kept starting songs he knew Jerry liked to encourage him to keep playing. Of course there was a whole lot "we want more" from the group as well. Super fun!!

TODAY was a perfect morning. No set time to get up as there was a constant zodiac shuttle to the most beautiful beach. Fine white sand, many colors of blue and turquoise in the water, sea lions playing at the waters edge. Kicked off the shoes and walked with bare feet in the sand. I love that!

Of course there was snorkeling and kayaking as well. The kayakers had a super time with turtles and sea lions all around the kayak,

This afternoon a long and short walk.

This is a BUSY cruise.

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247316 11/10/16 08:14 PM
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petlover Offline
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Your trip sounds fantastic, love the narrative and photos!! Keep enjoying....sing Jerry sing wave


Marcie

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247317 11/11/16 08:11 AM
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RachelG Offline
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As Ngaire said, this is a very busy cruise. Someone asked about snorkeling. George reports it is very good, but the water is quite cold. He does not wear a wet suit, so got really cold one day. But he has seen a lot of fish, sharks, sea turtles, etc. most of the time the water is very clear.

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247318 11/11/16 09:11 AM
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lonestarlady Offline
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Thanks for the snorkeling report Rachel!


Cindy
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"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247319 11/11/16 03:08 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Eden Islet, Santa Cruz, Galapagos & KLT Cocktail Party:

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Blue Footed Booby fishing.

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Sally Lightfoot Crab.

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Jerry singing at the party.

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Beautiful Sunsets.

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247320 11/12/16 06:36 AM
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Ms Understood Offline
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Yesterday morning we went to a giant tortoise sanctuary. These guys are pretty amazing to look at. On the way, we saw several actually attempting to cross the road. Trucks and buses have to get around them on a pretty narrow roadway. A very unique traffic hazard, I think. The afternoon was a walk during which we saw a tiny sea lion nursing and couple of iguanas. The it was back onboard to commence the dreaded packing. Dinner with Kim and Alice and Florie and then Jerry's final performance before turning in for our last night on Silver Galápagos .

3 x during this trip my IPhone has adjusted itself by one hour for no apparent reason and this morning was one of them. Luggage has to be in the hallway by 6 am. So I was up and showered at what I thought was 5:30. Not. It is only 4:30, ugh! So now I sit waiting to disembark.

It seems everyone is either on the flight at midnight tonight to the States or 730 tomorrow morning. We are on the flight tomorrow so will likely join a group for dinner tonight.This was really a great trip and I recommend it anyone.
--------------------
Helen

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247321 11/12/16 08:23 AM
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Ken Offline
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Punta Suarez, Espanola, Galapagos:

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Marine Iguana.

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Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247322 11/12/16 08:45 PM
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Cindy-

Alice and I were not sure how low or high to set our expectations for snorkeling. I would say overall we were very pleased. The water was about 72 degree. With a shortie wetsuit I was fine for about an hour. Alice is more sensitive to the cold and wore a diveskin under the shortie wetsuit and gloves. Viz was around 25'. Usually we swam along a rock wall while the zodiac followed . If you wanted to quit the zodiac would pick you up. Generally we were in groups of about 8 somewhat separate from the other groups, but free to swim about. Just need to get back to the same zodiac. I had a small underwater camera and if I got any decent photos I will post them. The highlights were some white tip reef sharks, mobule rays that look like small mantas, several other rays, a tiger snake eel, king angel fish, big scoops of fish etc. and a sea lion a couple of times. Oh one was playing with a puffed up puffer like a beachball!

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247323 11/12/16 09:05 PM
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Thank you so much Kim for the report! I am anxious to see your photos. This trip is on our bucket list, but I can guarantee my husband will not be getting in the water! I can take the cooler water, but he can't - he wants it to be like a bathtub!! I used to scuba like you and Alice, but can't anymore for health reasons, but I do enjoy snorkeling still.

We are heading to our first visit to the great barrier reef in January - so looking forward to snorkeling there!

Thanks again for the report. Send me a PM if you post your pictures somewhere else.


Cindy
TravelingTexasDuo.com

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247339 11/18/16 10:26 PM
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crystal Offline
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I just caught up with this string--wonderful stories and photos that bring back such fond memories of the MP/Galapagos trip Beth and I took a couple of years ago.

Cindy, the ship provides wetsuits, though they are the shortie type. I actually brought a full wetsuit with me, and found that myself pretty comfortable in the water. And, like your husband, I HATE cold water.

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: lonestarlady] #247342 11/19/16 11:45 AM
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Cindy, I just realized you said you're going to the Great Barrier Reef in January. A wonderful place! I do want to caution you about the stingers that are active in the waters that time of year, in case you haven't already made the arrangements to deal with them.

A lot of the snorkel trips don't run during that time of year because of the stingers. These aren't your garden variety jellyfish--their bite is supposed to be extremely painful, and can lead to death.

Precautions can be taken. We went in October, which was the start of the stinger season, and all snorkelers were required to wear stinger suits. Think head to toe spandex.
The week we were there was the last week that our snorkel/dive boat would be going out until after stinger season.

I understand that there is a pontoon with a snorkel area enclosed in nets to keep out the stingers, but I've not heard good things about the experience there.

I expect there are other options for a good experience that time of year, but I do want to caution you to do your homework ahead of time to make sure you have a good experience, if you haven't already done so.

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247343 11/19/16 11:46 AM
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Ken Offline
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Photo taken with a GoPro on a monopod from the kayak! Compliments of Ed.

[Linked Image]

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: crystal] #247344 11/19/16 01:42 PM
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Thanks Crystal for the heads up. I have read about the box jellyfish - sounds like a nasty creature!!

I hear there are some areas where it is supposedly safer that you can get to by boat (away from land and river outlets). We are staying on Lizard Island and the itinerary includes a snorkeling trip, so I am remaining hopeful! Keep your fingers crossed for us! thumbsup


Cindy
TravelingTexasDuo.com

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247345 11/19/16 02:03 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Stunning picture in fact a "magical" picture. Thanks Ed! Another great addition to the Canon Ken, and Nikon Ken team.

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247347 11/19/16 04:18 PM
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lonestarlady Offline
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Awesome photo! That water looks gorgeous - crystal clear.


Cindy
TravelingTexasDuo.com

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247348 11/19/16 05:49 PM
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Great photo Ed. Well done!



Arlene
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Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247350 11/20/16 05:14 PM
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Ken Offline
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The Iguana Group Photo at the Tortoise Reserve in Santa Cruz Island:

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Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247351 11/21/16 12:04 AM
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Ms Understood Offline
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What a good lookin' group!
-------------
Helen

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247354 11/21/16 10:11 PM
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RachelG Offline
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Aren't we though!? Good thing they didn't photograph our shoes. For those not on the trip, tortoises are vegetarian and eat a very high fiber diet consistent with their volume.

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247362 11/24/16 12:18 PM
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Ken Offline
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Just wanted to share some of my photos from Iguana:

https://ngaire.smugmug.com/PERU/Galapagos-Islands/i-3dftZv9

Ken

Re: Iguana sea mail [Re: Ngaire] #247363 11/24/16 05:40 PM
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lonestarlady Offline
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Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!


Cindy
TravelingTexasDuo.com

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
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