aki

We woke early to eat breakfast then fly to San Cristóbal. The bulk of our party had arrived late the night before, so this was the first time I saw most of them. I was predictably antisocial, but some of them were friendly enough to overcome even that.

The flight was very quick and very simple. They allowed water bottles on the plane; you didn't have to de-shoe to get through security. They did spray all of our carryons in the overhead compartment shortly before landing, but that was only slightly odd.

I did a little early Giftmas shopping at the airport, then we were off to the docks, where the water was a gorgeous clear deep blue.

A cute little sea lion was lying on the dock behind a bench, where it honked at people who got too close.

We received our first life vest training, as well as our first Zodiac training, and we were zipped off to the Endeavor on a Zodiac. I did picture the back of my backpack popping open and dropping my gear into the ocean, I have to admit.

cabin 310

My cabin is nice and roomy and evidently I overpacked. Right off the bat, I could tell I didn't need:

• power strip; if there's no free wifi the laptop doesn't need constant charging;
• shampoo + conditioner; they provide it. Glad I only packed a small bit of conditioner;
• lotion: ditto;
• quick dry towels: they provide towels in the bathroom as well as beach towels when we go ashore;
• first aid kit: they've got it covered;
• laundry kit: there's a line in the shower;
• water bottle. I didn't bring mine, but I was thinking of bringing it. They give you one to use.

We had a briefing and an alarm drill. I bought some internet time and logged on for a few slow loading minutes. There was a whale sighting but I didn't really get anything even remotely resembling a decent shot.

I finished Dexter season 5: good, but season 4 has raised the bar to an impossible level, really.

Our first landing: Cerro Brujo. This was a beach, and therefore a water landing. I was carrying a little too much this time, and pared down for the next landing.

There were sea lions lying on the beach, all over the beach.

We caught sight of a swallow-tailed gull, with red eyes.

And I saw, photographed, and filmed a frigate bird and a blue-footed boobie fighting over a fish; that was probably the highlight for me.

frigate vs blue-footed boobie from Aki Sasaki on Vimeo.

The Zodiac ride in was pretty cool too, though I was slightly worrying about my hat flying off and not accidentally dropping my camera.

Afterwards, drinks + crew introductions, then dinner, then I showered + hand laundered 2 days' worth of clothes. (I eventually gave in and paid for laundry, though.)

(slideshow)