January 23 – Shove the Galapagos Fur Seal

Kathleen and I had stayed at Hostal Gardner again and found we most definitely liked Hotel España better. Much quieter and better amenities for the same price. Their Wi-Fi worked better, too. We booked our last night in the Galapagos at Hotel España.

Kathleen and I planned to do very little today. We thought about kayaking but found rentals to be expensive - $28 for two hours. This Marine Iguana didn't need no stinking kayak. We took a water taxi across to Las Crietas which was a part of Puerto Ayora we hadn’t visited yet. The suburb of the Pto. Ayora was the home of the Finch Hotel which is arguably the ritziest accommodations in the Galapagos. Kathleen and I were thinking a room went for $200/night. The teal here were enjoying a clean swim.We walked along a trail leading to a large crack in the lava flow making a saltwater swimming hole. Here we found people enjoying a dip and dive in the pretty clear water.Back in the main part of Puerto Ayora, Kathleen and I walked about and watched fishermen filet some fish with a few moochers waiting for a scrap. Occasionally, the guys would have to shove the Galapagos Fur Seal as they would a large dog trying to move the beast out of the way.After dinner Kathleen and I strolled out to the main pier which is lit with green and blue lights directed at the water. This pelican was taking advantage of the lights attracting fish. Kathleen snapped this shot at an ISO of 3200.Our last night in the Galapagos was a quiet one.