Puerto Ayora, SantaCruz, Galapagos

leaving Golfito, Costa Rica

We got into Puerto Ayoro on Santa Cruz island yesterday at about 1000H after an interesting trip down. We certainly did not have the calms that are predicted in the doldrums and saw up to 20 knots of wind and we spent the entire time beating or motorsailing. Not very comfortable but over now.

equatorial sunset

We celebrated Ron's birthday with a rum soaked bundt cake and the crossing of the equator was a little anti-climactic as it occurred at about 0200H and most were asleep. We had planned to appease King Neptune by dunking the Admiral overboard as she is the youngest member of this crew of ancient mariners. Timing was in her favor and there didn't seem much point the following day as we were all shellbacks together.
Ron, the birthday boy and his cake

We find the small anchorage jam packed with boats from a blue water rally and we are at the outer end of the bay where there is a lot of swell action and we had quite a bit of rain and roll overnight. The rally boats are due to leave tomorrow and we will try to re-anchor further inside with a stern anchor set in addition to the main one.

I went briefly went ashore yesterday to get the check in process started and we have to hire an agent to do this here. Also required is a quarantine certificate, a fumigation certificate and various park fees. All of these procedures seem to be designed to separate you from money but the ability to see these unique surroundings will hopefully be worth the trouble.

The weather is rainy and and cool and once all the formalities are concluded we shall go exploring. Photos to follow.