{"id":38633,"date":"2016-05-02T14:51:28","date_gmt":"2016-05-02T13:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cornellsailing.com\/de\/2016\/05\/pacific-odyssey-galapagos-stopover\/"},"modified":"2016-05-02T15:59:15","modified_gmt":"2016-05-02T14:59:15","slug":"pacific-odyssey-galapagos-stopover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cornellsailing.com\/de\/2016\/05\/pacific-odyssey-galapagos-stopover\/","title":{"rendered":"Pacific Odyssey: Galapagos Stopover"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the transit of the Panama Canal and a challenging ocean passage\u00a0with weak, variable and often contrary winds, the entire Pacific Odyssey<\/a><\/em>\u00a0fleet finally found itself at anchor in front of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno\u00a0 on the island of San Cristobal.<\/p>\n

Each boat submitted to the strict\u00a0 regulations which are enforced on arrival in the Galapagos, and received\u00a0 onboard inspections from all the different official agencies (up to 12\u00a0personnel at any one time). Having followed the advance notice given\u00a0 concerning the necessary preparations to the letter, most notably being\u00a0 sure to have an impeccably clean hull, all the boats completed their\u00a0entry formalities without any problems.<\/p>\n

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Mural welcoming visitors arriving at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.<\/p><\/div>\n

The first week was spent on the island of San Cristobal, allowing\u00a0 everyone to discover the unique Galapagos wildlife, beginning with the\u00a0 ubiquitous sealions which climb onto the boats in the bay, as well as\u00a0 crowding the beaches and even occupying local village benches!<\/p>\n

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Galapagos sealions on the village beach.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sealions enjoy the public benches.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A sealion plays with a plastic bottle in the bay. There is still much work that has to be done to protect the environment and raise awareness, even in the Galapagos.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Gilles, from catamaran Mercredi Soir, fights the sealions to regain possession of his dinghy.<\/p><\/div>\n

A varied and exciting programme of activities was organised for the\u00a0 sailors, with day trips, diving, snorkelling and surfing excursions, as\u00a0 well as get-togethers in the local bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n

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Marine iguanas of the Galapagos.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Odyssey kids enjoy a pizza while discussing their adventures.<\/p><\/div>\n

A short day-hop with very little wind took the boats across to the island of Santa Cruz, to Puerto Ayora anchorage. A change of scenery, with a chance to take part in similar activities, as well as a welcome final chance to stock up on provisions before the long Pacific crossing, with the next supermarket and fresh produce market lying more than 6000 km to the west.<\/p>\n

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Academy Bay anchorage in Puerto Ayora, on the island of Santa Cruz.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Tortoises at the Darwin Institute in Puerto Ayora.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Three local customers doing their shopping at the fish market.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Pacific Odyssey<\/em> boats are now spending time getting acquainted with\u00a0 Isabela, which as the largest of the islands in the archipelago, is also\u00a0 the least developed and spectacularly scenic.<\/p>\n

In a few days, each boat\u00a0 will set off for a long passage westwards, bound for the Polynesian\u00a0islands of the Marquesas.<\/p>\n

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