Tag Archives: santa cruz

CHRISTMAS, CRUSTATIONS, & POOP

After our guests left, I flew back to the States to be with my family. We had a family emergency that I needed to attend to before crossing the Pacific. Matt stayed on-board and managed to complete a lot of boat projects, welcome our new guests, and cook up some crustations.

While I was away, our two friends, Ron and Sally joined Sugar Shack. We asked them to join us as additional crew on our upcoming passage to Chile. Matt was the perfect host and tour guide. He showed them around Santa Cruz and San Cristobal and took them to all the hot spots.

Sally met some crustations at the fish market and picked out a few favorites for dinner

Sally picking out dinner: crustations

Ron had fun with all of the Charles Darwin images around the island – remarkable resemblance, don’t you think?

Ron posing next to Chuck

Once I arrived, we unloaded my two enormous bags of goodies. Always a bit like Christmas which is especially fitting since it is so close to Santa coming. We only have a few more days before we have to leave as Ron and Sally need to be in Chile by 3^rd of January.

Christmas on San Cristobal

Unfortunately, a few, large sea lions made it past our fender barrier and on to the boat. Normally, it would be “oh look how cute the sea lions want to come with us.” But when you come back to this, you just want to scream and pull your hair out. Yes, that is poop an dirt all over the cushions, floor, and side walls.

Presents from the Sea Wolves: POOP

Matt and Ron checked out the video from our security camera. Evidently, two sea lions rolled around every seat cushion before leaving us some early presents.

COMING UP NEXT:

We go on a dive tour with Islanders Galapagos and swim with sharks!

Las Grietas, Salt Pond, and Los Tunneles

LAS GRIETAS

Las Grietas means crevis or crack which is exactly what this is between two tall cliffs. To get to Las Grietas you make a short 1.5 mile hike on an easy trail. Once there you encounter an amazing sight to behold. It is a beautiful swimming pond sandwiched between two huge cliffs.

The Las Grietas Hike

On the way to Las Grietas we came across a small salt pond. The salt marshes are connected to the sea. With the help of the tides, the water floods and goes around the shallow areas. The wind and sun evaporate the water which allows the crystallization of the salt. Do you think if I swam in this my hair would turn pink?

Galapagos Salt Pond

Las Grietas was formed by the displacement of lava due to volcanic eruptions. The water in Las Grietas is brackish, the result of mixing salt and fresh water. The fresh water comes from the highlands through the underground filtration. In Galapagos, fresh water is a big treasure! A treasure can be simple but extremely valuable.

We so loved walking around the top of the cliffs. But, unfortunately, we did not bring our suits or snorkel gear so we didn’t go swimming. We will have to come back and take a dip in this pristine water!

Las Grietas Swimming Pond

Los Tuneles

After that great hike to Las Grietas, we headed back to town, hopped in the water taxi to take us to the main land to begin our walk to find Los Tuneles. How were these tunnels formed? When the surface part of a lava flow cools in temperature during its flow, that part solidifies. However, the parts further inside continue to flow forming an extensive tube shape through which the lava flows uninterruptedly.

When the eruption stops, this flow also stops. The level drops and an underground tunnel is left. Over time, sections of tunnels collapse making these very unstable.

El Tunel on Santa Cruz

GALAPAGOS FACTS

In a few years, solar will provide 100% of power to San Cristobal (now 50-60%)
3% of the island is provided for living (homes) farming. Therefore, 97% of the island is considered a national park
Don’t allow plastic straws at any island (metal or paper)
In addition, all single use plastic will be banned within the next few years.
San Cristobal has 3 wind turbines that provides the majority of the power for the island.

Pretty View from Las Grietas Trail

Gorgeous Sunset through a tree. Although the tree is beautiful during the day, it becomes spectacular at night.

Sunset

The Wild Part of Wildlife–Santa Cruz

13 YEARS

Matt and I were celebrating our 13 year anniversary, so did something we have never done before—we dressed alike. I had purchased a bikini from Pelagic (on sale) a few months ago and the day before we left, they put the men’s swim trunks on sale. Happy anniversary.

Matt and I Anniversary

Sierra Negra Volcano:

Our first stop was the Sierra Negra volcano crater. This is the 2^nd largest active crater in the world and had just erupted 4 months ago. When you step up to the ledge you cannot really tell if it is a crater or a giant sink hole, but either way it was impressive. We did not have this impressive view from the ledge, but it does provide a great overview.

Sierra-Negra-2 Courtesy of Casa Natura Galapagos Lodge

Tortuga Bay

Tortuga Bay is a national park located outside of Puerto Ayora. Since it is a National Park, they prohibit drinking of any kind. Of course, we did not know that as we loaded up the cooler with beer and rose. Lucky for us the park was only staffed with one ranger. We set up camp, grabbed a cold beverage and hit the water. When I say “hit the water” I mean up to our calves as it was COLD!

Santa Cruz Beach Day

There is tons of wildlife in Tortuga Bay. Lots of marine iguanas, sally light foot crabs and birds. Alas, no tortugas.

Beach Day Santa Cruz

EL CHATO RANCH

El Chato Ranch is an ecological, wildlife reserve where large tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat. This breed is called Galapagos Elephant Tortoises and they are the largest of the seven breeds that roam around the Galapagos islands. It was breathtaking to see these large creatures meandering across our path, eating, bathing, and hanging out. We kept our distance as they are very afraid of humans and retreat into their shells if you get too close.

Within the sanctuary, there are lava tunnels. These eerie formations offer a fascinating look into the volcanic belly of the island. The lava tubes were formed when surface lava cooled and solidified, while the underground hot lava continued to flow, eventually leaving an emptied cave

El Chato Rancho Santa Cruz

Yes, the plant in the center has egg shells on each stem – it is their version of an “egg plant.”

We took a few tourist shots near the Santa Cruz sign and giant iguana before heading back to the boat for some chill time.

Santa Cruz Tourist Pics

The Adventures of Sugar Shack

– Sailing Aboard a Catana 471

Tag Archives: santa cruz