While my hands on Galapagos experience is over, like you, dear readers, I’m experiencing it vicariously through Patty and our new friends, Joan and Alison. They’ve been great telling me about what they have done and seen, so for the rest of the cruise the stories and photos are all thanks to them.

I knew they were heading out yesterday afternoon for a tender ride off shore of Isabela Island near Punta Mangle. No shore landing due to the Avian Flu issue. I watched them through binoculars from my balcony and got excited when I saw the first tender heading back to the ship. I waved and hollered, but got no response, so obviously it wasn’t their tender. Then the second one headed toward the ship and woohoo! There they were! And they all waved and greeted me! Such fun!

So here are some great pictures of what they encountered from more Boobies, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, iguanas crawling all over each other, flightless cormorants and of course, sea lions.

After all the tenders returned the ship moved along the coast of Ferandina island, where the volcano began erupting a week ago. They all ate dinner up on the 7th deck outside so they could witness the eruption glowing at night. What a sight!

On the bright side, I’m here and feeling better. The crew is so incredibly kind, calling and stopping by to check on me, from the doctor, to the hotel director, guest relations manager, the maitre’d and my room attendant. I’m getting wonderful meals delivered along with their great hospitality.