Today is my last day in The Galapagos, and I am seeing one more island before I clean up at the Hotel Red Booby and go the “journey” back to the Baltra airport. Although many people, after arriving by air, explore the islands strictly by boat, I opted to stay at the hotel and take day trips. Cruising single is an expensive venture and especially here. The Galapagos Islands were once an adventure for only the wealthy, and although that is not the case now, it remains expensive because of its remoteness and costs associated with building an infrastructure, along with the fact that most food and supplies have to be brought in by plane.
This little village, Puerto Ayora, reminds me of old outposts in rural parts of Mexico where one is careful to eat only at the suggested restaurants, drink only bottled water, and walk cautiously on the cobbled-stone pavers which comprise any street that is not dirt. The locals are friendly, and like in every other Latin country, night life is active and noisy. Souvenir shops are plentiful and prices can be negotiated, but not very much. It appears the vendors stick together, and besides I have seen all the “I LOVE BOOBYS” t-shirts that I care to view, and I can’t think of a single person to buy one for although I have a number of male friends who would admit to the slogan, but are too old for the shirt!