Santa Cruz Island

We finally arrived at the Galapagos (Baltra) Islands after another short plane ride at about 10:30 am local time (12:30 pm EST).  The 24+ hour journey continued for a little over an hour as we took a $5 shuttle, followed by a $1 ferry, and $1 dollar taxi that we shared with a lovely couple from France.  At that point, we arrived at the quaint Morning Glory Hotel where we booked an air conditioned room for $30/night.  With little food in our stomachs, we descended downtown for lunch at Le Chocolate, which was a recommendation from the owner of our hotel.  Although the food was delicious and fresh, we left feeling that it was overpriced as the bill came to $50 with tip.   The shrimp soup and octopus salad were extremely tasty.

Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour, is one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos and serves as the main entry point for most visitors flying into the archipelago. Unlike its lush neighboring islands, Baltra is arid and mostly uninhabited, but it plays a crucial role in conservation and logistics. The island was once home to a U.S. air base during World War II, and remnants of the old base can still be seen today. Its ecological importance lies in its proximity to Santa Cruz and its strict conservation regulations, which help protect the fragile ecosystems of the Galápagos.

With bellies full, we visited a few tour companies and bartered for the best price for a 3 day-2 night tour of Isabela Island.  We eventually brokered a deal for $260/person, which included transportation (round trip 2 hour boat ride), accommodations, breakfast, lunch, tour guide, and activities.  Our last task was to purchase a SIM card, which we bought for $14.50 that included 10 MB and 100 minutes of calling.  

Exhausted from the long journey, we settled into our comfortable room at Morning Glory, showered, and turned out the lights.