Penguins in the Galapagos

Yes, there are penguins in the Galapagos Islands! This is the farthest north that you can find penguins. We were very fortunate to see these adorable little creatures! :)

Can you see the little guy in this picture?

Island Hopping in the Galapagos

If you travel to the Galapagos Islands, you have the option of staying on a large cruise ship or a small yacht. We chose the smaller boat so we wouldn't be traveling in a large group. We difinetly made the right decision. Our boat, Tip Top II, held 16 passengers plus 7 crew members. We spent everyday on a new island, and traveled at night to our next destination. A few days, we were even able to see two different islands. We spent 7 days on the boat and never got seasick. However, when we got off the boat after a week of swaying, we could feel the motion for 3 or 4 more days.

This is what a typical day was like:
7am breakfast
8am hike on an island to see the animals
10am morning snack
11am swim/snorkel
12pm lunch and SIESTA!
2pm snorkel/kayak
3:30pm afternoon snack
4pm hike
6:30 pm dinner
7:30 or 8:00 we went to bed (yes I know this is early!)
We ate a lot and slept a lot!! My two favorites!

Tip Top II

We rode a banga from the yacht to the island.

Hanging out on the boat was very relaxing!

The sea lion is posing perfectly in front of our boat!

Dave is standing right outside our room. We left our door open at night to enjoy the sounds and breeze of the ocean!

Birds of the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands have many unique birds that are only found on the islands. They don't have any major predators, so the birds let humans get very close to them. Some birds will even walk right up to you! I have never seen so many birds in my life!

Blue-footed boobie...

Blue-footed boobie with babies...

Immature blue-footed boobie...

Albatross...

Immature albatross...

I forgot this little guy's name, but he looked cute drying his wings...

Great blue heron...

Hawk...

Magnificent frigate bird, the males blow up their red air sack to attract females...
Mockingbird...

Brown pelican...

Red-footed boobie...

Red-footed boobie baby...

Red-footed boobie...

Swallow-tailed gull...

Yellow crowned night heron...

Yellow warblar...

God's Creation

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. ~Romans 1:20

Only God could create the unique and amazing landscape of the Galapagos Islands!

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Dave and I celebrated Christmas this year in Ecuador! We spent a few days on the mainland of Ecuador before spending the majority of our time in the Galapagos Islands (I will post later). If you travel to Ecuador, you must go to the "equator line." For most of our trip, we honestly didn't know which hemisphere we were in.
Equator Musuem...

Equator Monument...

New Name

One of my new year's resolutions is to blog more frequently, but first I want start out with a new blog title! Dave & Mandi is too boring, so I need help. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Dave and I went to Galapagos Islands for Christmas!! We had a wonderful time and I plan to post pictures soon. I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!