Galapagos Day 3: south plaza island, snorkeling, and Mosquera island beach

 We woke up before our 6 am wake up time so we could have a little private boat time. So peaceful.

Then we went for an early morning walk on South Plaza island.

^this is the baby of the following two

Iguanas periodically sneeze out salt!

^they are replanting cactus trees on South Plaza island because goats and rats that were introduced by local people ended up curbing the population of trees, which iguanas and cactus finches depend on. After eradicating the (approximately 4) goats and the rats, they used an old picture of south plaza island to determine how many more to plant and where. The trees will take 80 years to come to maturity.

This plant turns red when there’s not enough water to avoid photosynthesis!

Frigate bird attacking a baby gull (not to kill it, apparently, which we were very afraid of)

^kingpin iguana chasing off interloper iguana from his territory 

^where young bachelor sea lions go—adult males are kicked out of the fathers “harem” group once they reach a certain age, and they flee to hang out with other young adult males until they’re big enough to start their own harems. It stinks over here, literally a frat house 

Then we went for an amazing snorkel trip, Sylvia is now addicted, see you in Australia. Sylvia saw a sea turtle and Martin is upset she didn’t show him in time. We also saw a huge marble sting ray and a white tipped reef shark (not dangerous!). Our guide had a GoPro, I’ll add those videos once we have them.

Then we had lunch featuring a delicious Ecuadorian soup with fish and tomato and onion and popcorn. I will find recipe and make for all of you.

Then, after a much-needed siesta, we went to a beach/sandbar called Mosquera Island Beach. It was very very hot and exposed (which is why we look like Tuscan sand raiders) but once the sun went down a bit it turned into a magical playground for baby seals.

This is a marine iguana

In case you were wondering, no, no one else looked like this. Except the guides! 

Tuscan sand raider meets Whale skeleton on arakis

Magical seal playtime

Seal sitting on our life vests 

This seal became obsessed with this guy on our cruise 

❤️ 

^the sun lowered so we became human again…but only momentarily, don’t worry…

Bc we obviously hid back up for boat ride back! Notice hand protection gloves 10/10

We finished the day with happy hour on the boat with pina coladas in honor of Sylvia’s mother. To Paule and Sonia, who we love very much! Happy Mother’s Day!

Then we got back to our cabin before dinner and the cruise company had left us strawberries and champagne for our anniversary (thanks Martin) with a hilarious note.