This is a travel-vlog style YouTube video (Kara and Nate Buchanan) documenting their final day (Day 8) in the Galapagos. The chunk describes a dawn visit to Isla Lobos where they observed wildlife (frigatebird mating displays, blue-footed boobies with eggs and chicks), returning to the cruise ship (Natural Paradise) for breakfast/lunch after a delayed flight, emotional farewells to the crew and naturalist, and their arrival back in Quito with transfer logistics.
Sam.
It's our last day in the Galapagos Islands, which is so sad. But we have one last excursion this morning. We came over here to the island of Lobos at 6am and we've already seen the frigate birds do their mating dance. The males have this big red chest that puffs up and they do this little whistle and then the females come around and choose their mate. So that's been fun to watch. We have about a half hour on this island before we go back for breakfast.
Trying to walk down this trail. You're not supposed to go off of the trail, but this mama blue footed booby and her baby are standing right in the middle. And the mama is not happy that we're trying to pass.
Sa.
It's been a super good morning. We got to see the frigate birds mating. We got to see the blue footed boobies trying to mate. We got to see a blue footed booby guarding her egg. And the little baby blue footed booby. It was a really good last excursion on the island. Now we get to say farewell to all the sea lions. One last.
We just pulled into the port of San Cristobal. Unfortunately, it is time for us to leave the natural paradise. Our trip to the Galapagos is over.
This is the saddest I've been to move on from a place I may.
Have seen a tear earlier.
Just has been the best week ever.
Seriously, the boat has been amazing.
The wildlife is just unbelievable.
The food's been incredible.
The staff, like, I'm gonna miss the people. All the people we met, they were so awesome.
I cannot imagine how a trip to the Galapagos could get any better unless you would have seen the hammerhead.
But besides that, yeah, Royal Galapagos cannot control the wildlife. But like, seriously, like from coming with a company, I can't imagine a better one to come with than Royal Galapagos. It was so good. And like, we don't have to say that. We're saying that because we truly feel that way.
Our boat was the best. We looked at everybody's boats that we passed and it was just the best.
So now we have to take our luggage downstairs. Then we're gonna head to the airport, check our luggage in at the airport and then we're gonna have a couple explore San Cristobal before our plane leaves. We're going to have to figure out how to come back to the Glob. This will not be our last time here. No.
If you're sick of wildlife, sorry. Coming back.
Let's go.
I'm going to miss our room.
Sam.
We are all checked into our flights, but there's been a change of plans. Our flight is very delayed, which I'm fine with because I'm in no hurry to leave the Galapagos. But the natural paradise was nice enough to invite us back to the boat for lunch instead of being stranded here out in the sunshine all day. So we checked our bags, we got to leave our carry ons on the bus and we get a few hours of free time. And then we're going back to the natural paradise to lunch. Then we're going back to the airport. It's only 9:40.
We've gone in way too many souvenir shops. And now we're gonna take in the view one last time with some ice cream and watch the sea lions.
Going back for lunch one last time.
Feels so good to be back. It was so nice of them to invite us back for lunch. Makes me feel really special. It's the full buffet. Thought we were just getting sandwiches. It's even harder to leave the second time. It hurts.
We just got through security. We said bye to the best naturalist ever, Heidi. And there's no lounge, but they're giving away free snacks at the avianca counter. So nice. It's time. We are leaving the Galapagos.
Well, we will be back.
Please remember to take all your personal belongings with you.
We're back in Quito. Thankfully, Royal Galapagos are ready to transport to our Airbnb. It's cold here.
Sweet.
Feline can't decide where he wants to get lunch. The sea lion's waiting till his room is ready in the hotel.
You right over here on a scooter?
Yeah.
