Here are some photos of the great place we are staying.  We both have rooms with a kitchen, living area huge king sized bed, with another single bed and a large eating area.  The outdoor area is just amazing.  It is a covered patio that provides great shade and often has a wonderful breeze flowing through. 

Today we are walking to Tortuga Bay.  It is located about 2.5 km west of the town of Puerto Ayora.  A bit further if you are coming from the town center, but the beginning of the path is very close to our hostal. 

The path begins with a large set of steps.  At the top is a park ranger station where we need to sign in.  I think they are would like to track how many visitors they get each day.  Here you can also buy drinks, so Stu and I pick up another bottle of water.  We do have water, but it is a very warm day and it will not go to waste.  The ranger gives us some information on the path and tells us to walk slowly to enjoy seeing and hearing the finches along the way.  Also to see the many lizards that will cross our path.

With that info we are off.  The path is nicely paved with tiles made from lava rock.  It is easy to walk on.  There are hills and valleys with bits of shade here and there.  Leslie and take advantage of the shady spots to rest for a bit.  Greg and Stu as always are way ahead of us. 

There is an interesting cactus/tree on this island.  It is called the Galapagos Opuntia.

“The Opuntia Species are very important in the Galapagos ecosystem.  The pads and fruits are a source of food for iguanas and tortoises.  The height and shape of these species varies depending on the species and the habitat.  For instance, the tallest Opuntia are found in Santa Cruz.  The cactus finches are dependant upon the cactus fruits, seeds and flowers”

We arrive to this view!!!  Oh my god!!  Sooo beautiful.  This is Playa Brava.  The waves and current are very strong here and swimming is not recommended.  It is OK for surfers however.  There are a couple of brave souls out frolicking in the surf.

Our plan is to continue walking west on this long stretch of beach to reach a lagoon on the other side of the point.  We have heard that this is suitable for swimming. 

At the end of this stretch of beach we come to a small tidal lagoon that is separated from the ocean by a reef of lava rock.  Inside this lagoon there are Marine Iguanas and some fish that may find themselves trapped until the next high tide.  There are a number of people here but no shade, so we carry on a bit further until we reach the larger lagoon. 

This one has trees lining the shore that provide shade.  The park has erected poles with little branches for people to hang their belongings on.  Looks like a bag tree.  Very handy.

We all have a swim here.  Greg and Leslie brought their snorkels but don’t see much. 

There is a water taxi that for $10 per person will take you back to Puerto Ayora.   It is a very warm day and I would like to ride rather than do the walk back.  We see a boat enter the lagoon, so Stu and I walk over to the point on the lava rock wall that the boat will nose into to pick up passengers.  It turns out that this boat is a charter for a tour group and doesn’t have room for us.  The Captain tells us that another boat will be here in at 2:30.  That is an hour from now.  We had hoped to be back in time to see the fishermen bring in their catch and all the pelican commotion that entails.  That is about 3pm.  We don’t want to wait an hour and decide to start walking back.  Greg and Leslie are still in the water and think we have taken the boat back.  😊

I knew I could do this walk back, but I didn’t WANT to.  The temperature is in the mid 30’s.  Stu is walking much faster than the nice pace Leslie and I do.  I still stop in the shady places, but for less time.  Not long into the walk I tell Stu that we should skip the fishermen today as we will be back for a couple nights before we fly home.  That slows our pace a bit. 

The walk closes at 5.  As we leave we see many many people just beginning.  A lot of them don’t know what is a head of them as they don’t seem prepared for the heat.

I am just as soaked as when I came out of the water.  We reach the end of the path and head down the stairs.

Back to our little oasis and into the shower.  We are enjoying the patio when Leslie arrives.  She is surprised to hear that we didn’t take the boat and now knows why no one waved back when they waved good bye.  😊  Greg has gone to the fishermen, which Leslie declined.

Greg arrives a bit later and we hear that there were no fishermen today.  Good call on the deferral!! 

Back to the Fish Street tonight.  Stu and Leslie share a fish call a Bruja.  It is white and orange.  We find a place that has one that is a good size for 2.  Greg has calamari and I have a skewer of tuna, shrimp, calamari and peppers.  Another great meal.