Since we have to wait an indefinite amount of time for our car to be repaired – Christmas and the turn of the year don’t make the situation any better – and we don’t feel like staying longer in Quito, we make a decision very quickly. We fly to Galapagos. So. If we’re stuck in the only city with flights to these unique islands, let’s take our chance.

I’m a little biased towards the Galapagos as I believe tourism has ensured that it is now home to the world’s largest zoo rather than the last intact ecosystem. But already on the approach it takes our breath away. What’s that all over the water? are those waves stones? No, those are… oh my… Those are hammerhead sharks!!! Hundreds of sharks with heads like tools of different sizes frolic over a large area just below the surface of the water.

Tips and costs for the Galapagos Islands can be found on this page.

After we have landed and been charged a lot of money for entry into the national park and we have been checked head to toe for imported food, we quickly reach our small, private accommodation in a taxi.

The day before, I booked a room in a family’s house via Airbnb. There we share the house with a friendly three-generation family.

We drop everything and walk down to the Malecón after at least changing into light clothes. It’s warm. In Quito we still had to wear sweaters.

At the port we catch our breath again. There is a beach right on the promenade that is inhabited by sea lions. And not only that.

Sea lions lurk throughout the small downtown area of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. On park benches, on curbs, in front of front doors and in the bushes. It looks like a music festival.

Leon is very fascinated by the animals that sprawl in front of his nose in the sand or on the asphalt or dive out of the water full of roars. Many puppies also scurry between the big seals and squawk. But that’s not all. As if Galapagos wanted to give us the best possible impression, from the shore of the promenade we also see iguanas basking on the rocks in the golden evening sun.

In between, bright red crabs with colorful heads present themselves, pelicans also relax on the stones from the day, frigate birds circle above us and then a sea turtle does the honors and paddles comfortably in the shallow water of the harbor.

In between, bright red crabs with colorful heads present themselves, pelicans also relax on the stones from the day, frigate birds circle above us and then a sea turtle does the honors and paddles comfortably in the shallow water of the harbor.

In a way, Sara has to drag me back to our accommodation because I can’t get enough of all the animals. Leon feels the same way.

Even if we are on islands directly on the equator and the heat of the sun is correspondingly intense, the water is very cold due to the Humboldt Current. That is why there are also seals and penguins here. What usually doesn’t exist are reindeer. They are scattered across the island with Santa Claus and various Christmas trees, because the holidays will be here in a few days.

The contrast between the turquoise water and the palm trees with figures of snowbound Santa could not be more stark.

The time of day doesn’t seem to matter, fat sea lions are scattered all over the city and doze. Of course, these swimming mammals can also be found on the surrounding beaches, and there are two of them nearby: Playa Mann and Punta Playa Carola. There we feel like natural scientists for the first time.