Landfall Galapagos! Isla San Cristobal, 959nm from Panama City, Passage April 8-15th, 2017

Archipelago de Colon, April 15-25, 2017

How about that. Look where WE are?! First steps on land.

Allora at anchor in Wreck Bay, Puerto Baquierzo Moreno, San Cristobal, Galapagos

Some little penguins were swimming right here, but I didn’t get any pics

The sea lions hung out all around the dinghy dock – sometimes you had to walk RIGHT over them to get by

Around the corner from Allora’s anchorage

Whale bones on a short hike from Concha de Perla

Near Concha de Perla, a sweet snorkeling spot

Can’t get enough of the sea lions (even though their numbers are astounding)

This is a dead crab. They seem to get stranded at high tide and they dry out intact

Wyatt’s getting equally comfortable on the uke and the guitar

On the way to Los Tuneles and Las Tintoreras, Isla Isabela, Galapagos

Sea turtles and other marine life in these tunnels which were formed as lava flowed from Volcán Sierra Negra to the sea.

Blue Footed Booby, Los Tuneles, Isla Isabela, Galapagos

Hannah from s/v Makara came along on the hike

It’s often foggy in the mornings in this ecosystem

The word ‘fumarole’ comes to mind, but I’m not sure that’s right?

There are seven active Galapagos volcanoes, and this one is one of the most active

The Sierra Negra is one of five volcanoes on Isabela Island and is considered the second largest volcanic caldera in the world (Yellowstone is the first).

Surf or this? Hmmm … Wasn’t a tough decision for Haley (having surfed before, she said, ‘Nope, did that!”

First time surfing for WS, MPS, MS and DS (2nd time for MS)

I’m not even sure if this is a thing, but it was far easier to carry this way

Serene scene on the beach while we were pummeled in the water

Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, these little guys were around one year old

Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, Giant Tortoises, San Cristobal, Galapagos

I’m not sure what these were – Silk, Buck or Luna moths? Ideas?

These two (moths?) were cruising along this tree trunk side by side

Our friends, Jennifer and Mark on their Nordhaven trawler, Starlet

Where is the tempo set?
on the avenues of new york london tokyo paris
or are they older than that
set by Luther’s hammer on the church door
the herd school flock shifts in rhythm to what secret signals
why does it matter if a man has something to do today
too much or too little
the sun is busy, the moon too with her secrets
and naked celebrations
water is always about to do something unexpected
the sky on a mission that does not tabulate human considerations
the stars are moving so fast they have time for little else
they don’t think for a moment about the implications of an infinite universe
belittling space and time and the business of anything or anyone, even stars
we move because life is motion
though even rocks are not still
there is no still point
no rest for the wicked
no rest
no rest
anticipation of the next wave or swirl of wind
is enough
until a stomach cramp, or the same anxious energy that brings a smile and satisfaction
sets a leg to tapping
mind worrying about something far away I cannot change
a fish and a hook
a plan and minor success to distract from the basic fact
that there are no ringing triumphs
or perfect endings
stubbed toes and broken knuckles and mosquito bites
that are more real than the scale of these mountainous islands
as out of touch as dreams and manmade stories
~MS

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