Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Isla de San Cristobal, Galapagos

16 October 2007, 1030 local time

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Isla de San Cristobal, Galapagos

2900 nm, 31 days from Puerto Montt, Chile

We have finally arrived in the Galapagos, glad to be secure on anchor. Two personnel from the Capitania's office came on board to welcome us to the Galapagos and inform of the proper protocol while in the islands. We then went ashore and met with our "agent" Fernando, who would be responsible for getting us through immigration and handling the paperwork for entry papers and customs. When that was all complete, and having paid a total of $200 in fees, we walked around the town, had some lunch and in general began to get our land legs back.

Our visa is for 20 days and we will probably stay the whole time. It's easy to view the wildlife and it's nice to relax and take it all in.

We have made a complete change in our itinerary. The original plan was to go to the Marquesas, Hawaii and onto Japan. We are now going to Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii and then directly to Alaska arriving the beginning of summer 2009. We are very much looking forward to Costa Rica and should be there at a good time of year.

Ciao for now.

Galapagos Is. By The End Of The Week

12 October 2007
1200 UTC
Position: S06 24.96, W86.49.69

We are in our fourth week and the winds have become light and progress has slowed to less than 90 miles a day. Only 372 nm to go to the Galapagos - will we ever get there!

Weather has been pleasant with partly cloudy skies. Listen everyday to NPR programs on the SSB radio so we're up to date on the economic downturn and the last few weeks of campaigning before the presidential election - both better viewed from a distance.

All is well on board.