Floreana Island

Today we took a day trip to Floreana, an island of 150 people to the south of Santa Cruz, but was actually the first to be settled in the Galapagos. We didn't have a great start as the motor boat we were on had an engine that kept cutting out every 30 seconds. After the 6th or 7th time it had done this, they arranged for a replacement boat which took about 30 mins.

So after around an 1hr 45mins we arrived on the island to be greeted by red backed marine iguanas, the only place in the Galapagos Islands you can find them. Although they're called red backed they are also black and green at the same time. Iguanas are the ultimate posers, once in position there don't move unless they really have to.

We did an hour's hike and came across a group of tortoises that will soon be released across the island in an attempt to reintroduce them to Floreana. They became extinct on the island around 200 years ago. Whaling and pirate ships would stop at the island to stock up on fresh water and they would also take the giant tortoises to eat or even sell. Apparently tortoises can go a long time without food or water so they were ideal for fresh meat.

After lunch there was an opportunity to go snorkeling but the nose piece on goggles don't seal properly if you have a beard so I gave it a miss. Apparently the water wasn't too warm anyway. I found a hammock in the shade, overlooking the water, that was good enough for me.

It had been a long day so we went straight to one of the bars we'd had a drink in yesterday for a quick couple before we went back to the room to change. About 30 mins later a kiwi and Argentinian couple from today's trip joined us for one. Which turned into four and then dinner, where we were joined by another couple from the trip from Canada and Ecuador. It was like a sub committee of the United Nations, but very enjoyable.Read more