From the Dark Ages - Part 1

Amidst the Dark Ages of my blog (i.e. 2009) where I posted a whopping 3 entries the entire year, my family made their way down from NY for a two-week Ecuadorian visit. And now thinking back, I realized that I never posted any pictures for all you Eye Trip readers out there (there must be at least 3 or 4 of you!). So here's installment #1.  We spent 5 days on a cruise around some of the Galapagos Islands, braving the buffet breakfasts and white-glove dinner service of the high seas, and saw some incredible sights.  The pictures below are from the first day and half or so of the cruise.  You'll have to wait for next week's post for the pics of all the cute and not-so-cute creatures that roam the islands!  Enjoy.

Lounging Sea Lions

Mom, Sis, and I on the ship
(which we almost missed since our travel agent booked us the wrong flight!)

Lots of volcanic rock

Note age demographic!  Count the gringo hats...

Rocky beach with mini-volcano in the background

Saltwater Lagoon

Goats were introduced to the islands a long time ago and the Park Service is trying to kill them off so they don't outcompete the native wildlife

Mom and a cactus.  The islands are very dry and we were also here in the dry season when the trees don't have any leaves below a certain elevation.

The warm light of sundown

Sunset

Happy sunbathing sea lion

Weird gray plants growing on volcanic soil

A lava cactus and our boat in the background.

Lizzie the Lizard

Pinnacle Rock on Bartalome Island

Picture perfect beach where we later went snorkeling and were surrounded by thousands of brightly colored fish, seas turtles, and sea lions.  Sorry no underwater camera! But it was like being in Finding Nemo!

Mandatory cheesy tourist photo

Dad, Mom, and Sis braving the wind

The view from atop a small volcano with our ship and a cool underwater crater.