Saturday, 3 April Land ahoy!

As dawn broke on the seventh morning we had 12 bananas left and our first glimpse of the Galapagos. It seemed far less then 7 days, like we'd left Panama the day before yesterday. Isla San Cristobal is where we were heading, the closest island to Ecuador and the youngest of the Galapagos islands. It's volcanic topography is clearly visible from a way off. As we got closer we saw our first albatross calmy sitting in the water and giving us dirty looks as we sailed past, the fat belly of a sea lion also floating along.

We turned into Baquirioz Moreno, or Wreck Bay as it is also known, and dropped anchor just after lunch. March into April is prime time to begin a transit of the Pacific so lots more yachts here. We were able to get a spot at the front of the fleet close to shore and thus able to connect to the free wi-fi connection generously offered by the government. Isn't that kind of them? We checked emails while waiting for the port captain and our clearing in agent to come aboard.

Our clearing agent is Joseph, and judging from his ample proportions, the island's champion pie eater, It's manadatory to use an agent (for a fee) to do the customs and immigration paperwork. He came aboard later in the afternoon with the port captain and the health inspector. The port captain recorded our details while the health inspector inspected the lockers and under floor storage for evidence of stowaways such as pets, mice, rats or a humble plant. All are strictly refused entry to protect the environment. If you have a dog or cat it is not allowed to leave the boat, If they find mice droppings one gets fumigated. We didn't need to be fumigated.

Cleared with customs, Joseph accompanied us ashore in a water taxi and then a land taxi out to the immigration office. Why the immigration office is half a mile out of town in the middle of a field I don't know, perhaps i increases the revenenues for taxis. More forms to fill, passports stamped and we were free to go. The Inspiration Ladies were with us so we took a stroll along the esplanade and checked out the sea lions.

Galapagis sea lions are not in danger of exteinction or in danger of wearing themselves out. Early evening ad there were between 150 adn 200 sleeping along the esplanade, the beach, in the children;s playground. They hhide under park beanches waiting for the unwary walker who takes a step too close and then they come out baarking furiously. Poor Jackie got quite a fright.

We finished our first day in Ecuador, the 23rd country on our trip, with an early dinner and then home and early to bed.