San Cristóbal: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Friday, 13 July (Part II)

After our Las Tijeretas fitness walk (post here), a short bus ride back into the heart of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (PBM) found us on Malecón Charles Darwin, one of the two main streets in town.

Founded in the mid-19th century, and named after the first Ecuadorian president to visit the islands, PBM is the provincial capital of the Galápagos.

For most of the 5,400 residents who live in town, the primary source of income comes from government jobs, tourism, and fishing.

With a reminder from our naturalist that the last zodiac to the ship was at noon — ship’s time being ahead by an hour — we set off to explore PBM.  We did check out a couple of the shops lining the malecón; but came out empty handed by design :-)

Glimpse of the malecón.

Most of our time in town was spent wandering first towards the Navy base at one end of the malecón, and then towards the dock where we were told to meet up for the zodiac ride back to the ship.  It was interesting to see some of the same wildlife we’ve been encountering on the other islands making themselves at home in the canals, beaches, and streets of the town.

Here’s a selection of photos from our stroll around PBM.

It's the saddle-like carapace of one of the land tortoise species that gave
the archipelago its name.

Can you see the great blue heron under the bridge; if not, I have inset a close-up.

Sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and sally lightfoot crabs — all are familiar to us.

The sea lions have taken over the beach in the heart of the town.

Joining the crowd after a refreshing swim!

Ah yes; one of them has to always strut his stuff.

With all the wildlife lounging about, no wonder they need these signs
to remind visitors about proper wildlife viewing etiquette.

From the signage nearby: “The Don Abraham was caught illegally fishing in the
Galápagos marine reserve in 2004 by the National Park Service and the navy.  The boat
was confiscated and purchased on behalf of OMCA, a coop for the fishermen’s wives,
and converted into a café boutique.  Instead of increasing local fishing pressures,
the vessel serves as an economic alternative for wives of fishermen & the local community.”

A closer look at the café boutique; seems to me that this would be a good place
from which to make purchases if one was so inclined.

You know me and murals; just can't resist them.

A mini Galápagos archipelago; complete with erupting underwater volcanoes.

Since this sea lion is posing so nicely, Mui gives in ...

… and clicks the shutter a time or two to get this portrait.

And what is Erin photographing at the bridge that runs across this natural pool? ...

... sea lions, of course.
Promise; that’s the last of them … at least from PBM.

The side of a building near the municipal pier provides a mural of Kicker Rock;
it’s not painted, but made of stones and slabs of rock instead.

And on that note; time to return to the ship.  Not only are we starved; we have more fun activities planned for the afternoon … one of which has to do with the rock mural featured above.