Live: Nov 18 2023 Xpedition Galapagos Southern Loop

[mahdnc]

One of the things that impressed me with our sailing is that Xpedition circumnavigated Kicker Rock today.  The timing and ship's route was such that we were given views of the beautiful sun setting between the two main rock features that make up Kicker Rock.  It was like a Galapagos Stonehenge moment.

 

We were all encouraged to go out on deck to watch Kicker Rock.  My wife and I watched it from the public area on Deck 5.  With the small number of passengers on board (47), it was easy to find a nice quiet spot for viewing.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

[sandiego1]

Fantastic photos!!

 

BTW what time is dinner served?

[mahdnc]

4 hours ago, sandiego1 said:

Fantastic photos!!

 

BTW what time is dinner served?

 
Dinner is usually 730pm. A couple of times it is 7:45pm. 
 

Here is a link to the schedule for our entire sailing: link

[Pegasusridge]

Enjoy!! Absolutely one of the best trips we have taken. We were lucky enough to have the marine biologist Celebrity employed on our cruise which made things even more special! Looking forward to returning at some point!!

[prmssk]

Gorgeous sunset photos of Kicker Rock!  They timed that circumnavigation right!

[mahdnc]

At Floreana this morning, we took a Zodiac ride to see wildlife, got off at the beach (wet landing) to see the famous post office.  We then did some snorkeling and then kayaking.  The sun was out which made for a beautiful day but it quickly sapped your strength as well as the soft sand which made it difficult to slog over to the post office.  Although I didn't get any good photos, we saw rays, sea turtles, and sea lions swimming around us.

 

We have to get ready for our afternoon snorkeling around Champion Island activity.  Here are some pictures from this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 21, 2023 by mahdnc

[Norwaylady]

Love love this! 
 

im so happy for your live and the other from Galapagos❤️

 

We are booked for 2025 and it seems like a perfect fit for us as of now👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

 

[mahdnc]

Today's late afternoon hike to us to a beach where we saw several sea turtles chilling on the sand.  Once we got back to the ship, we were treated to yet another beautiful sunset.  Today's activities really wiped me out physically.  I was barely able to make it through tonight's presentation about tomorrow's activities.

 

 

[mahdnc]

Here are the slides that were presented regarding the activities on Isabela Island tomorrow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CPT Trips]

We are making the trip in February and really enjoy your posts, especially those of the evening briefing. 
If you have an opportunity, could you get a photo of the boarding ladder for snorkeling from the zodiacs?

TIA

[mahdnc]

7 hours ago, CPT Trips said:

We are making the trip in February and really enjoy your posts, especially those of the evening briefing. 
If you have an opportunity, could you get a photo of the boarding ladder for snorkeling from the zodiacs?

TIA

Very astute question. I will get a photo of the ladder from above and below water.  The ladder is located on the port side of the zodiac near the rear close to where the pilot stands.  My wife had a little trouble getting back into there zodiac after yesterday’s long snorkel around Champion Island.  She’s done it a million times because we have done many dives from a boat. This one time yesterday was a problem. She said that it was due to getting too much help as the guide and zodiac crew were all giving her commands at the same time. 
 

I also will try to photographically document the entry and or exiting of a zodiac during a wet landing. This is done on either side of zodiac but near the front. There is a wooden one step ladder that they hang on the port side near the front. Long legged agile people don’t need the ladder and they get back on the zodiac from the starboard side.  
 

Getting back into a zodiac during a wet landing has its moments and has some similarities to getting back in after snorkeling. Yesterday we had a young woman who fell onto the sand and water while trying to get back on.

Edited November 22, 2023 by mahdnc

[prmssk]

With getting back on after snorkeling, I found it worked best to skip the very highest step.  That step swings out when you step on it which can disturb your balance a bit.  So unless your legs are too short to accomplish it, try to swing your leg over while you are still firmly on the second to highest step.

 

Another tip, if you have a camera strapped to your arm, take it off and hand it to the naturalist or driver before taking your fins off or trying to climb out.  The first time or two, I thought mine would be just fine dangling from my arm as I climbed but it got caught on the ladder, the clip for the strap came loose, and ended up at the bottom of the ocean.  Fortunately, we weren't too deep and a guide was able to retrieve it for me.  

[mahdnc]

Another photo from yesterday’s late afternoon walk.  This is a day at the beach for our cruise. 
 

[CPT Trips]

@mahdnc and @prmssk

 

Very helpful . . . I’m tall, but not particularly agile, DW is more agile, but short. 😎

[mahdnc]

Here is our Expedition Director, Cristina Bonilla, at her desk right outside Guest Relations on Dec 4.

 

 

 

[prmssk]

2 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

Here is our Expedition Director, Cristina Bonilla, at her desk right outside Guest Relations on Dec 4.

 

 

 

I really enjoyed meeting Cristina.  She is just a wealth of knowledge and so personable.  I would go to her regularly with my bird photos for help with identification.  

[mahdnc]

Yesterday took a lot out of me as we did 2x hikes + 2x snorkelling + 1x kayaking at Floreana Island.  

 

When you get back on the ship after each excursion, there are multiple Celebrity personnel welcoming party waiting for you with smiles.  Crew to assist you with climbing back onto the ship, someone to instruct you to stand with shoes on their welcome mat moistened with disinfectant, a person to collect your life jackets, someone to assist with getting your snorkeling equipment cleaned, and an crew member who hands out the cold moist face towels.  Then you go up to the Beagle Grill which is one deck directly above the receiving area for some food and refreshments (although yesterday I wanted an IV).

 

 

Edited November 22, 2023 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

The zodiac ride this morning started at 8:30 am so we were able to sleep in a bit.  The zodiacs took us past lava flows and into several mangrove areas around Elizabeth Bay (Isabela Island).  The water was very calm and clear.  The ride was quite peaceful.  We say a lot of wildlife including for the first time: flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2023 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

We are underway to our next stop at Isabela Island to do some snorkeling.  Here is a view from our starboard balcony:

 

[mahasamatman]

Descriptions of the Xpedition say they will stock your minibar with alcohol and soft drinks. Since I believe single-use plastics are banned in the Galapagos, do they use cans or glass bottles?

[prmssk]

32 minutes ago, mahasamatman said:

Descriptions of the Xpedition say they will stock your minibar with alcohol and soft drinks. Since I believe single-use plastics are banned in the Galapagos, do they use cans or glass bottles?

Glass bottles which included Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, sparkling water, and two types of beer (I believe both from Ecuador).

[dlh015]

Finally caught up with you and prmssk threads...(DW was in hospital but is home now...)

 

You two have quite a gift for taking absolutely incredible photos!!  (and that's an understatement...)

 

Thanks for bringing us along!

 

I'm going crazy following all these threads...georgia_peaches, Jim, you folks...gosh it's tough...  😂

[Barwick Cruiser]

Wow, David, just wow…your photos are really capturing the wildlife in their glory. Absolutely stunning! I’m not surprised you’re so tired at the end of each day…I’m feeling it just reading about it! 😅 Hope it continues to be an amazing trip! 

[OrcaGirl]

Are there any opportunities for actual scuba diving while on this itinerary?

[mahdnc]

We did an afternoon snorkel this afternoon at 2:45pm.  We saw several sea turtles feeding which was pretty cool.  I will post those photos later.

 

Soon thereafter we did another zodiac ride at Punta Moreno (Isabela Island) to close out the day.  The other option was to do a short walk over a lava field which we passed on.  Although a zodiac ride sound kind of tame, it never disappoints as we saw a lot of impressive stuff including swimming iguanas and this huge iguana colony located on a rock.  Here are some photos: