Tuesday, November 13th
Galapagos, Island San Cristobal
Stayed at La Casa De Lewis
(Day 11 at the Galapagos)

Dear Obiwan,
The next 4 days were on Island San Cristobal in the Galapagos. In the beginning of our trip, both Itay and I thought to save the best for last, and Obi…this island was so gorgeous I still can’t believe I was there! San Cristobal is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and HAVING MORE SEA LIONS THAN PEOPLE!

But, before getting here, we took a boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz (this is how you have to do it) and The trip began by the three of us, Tamara, Itay, and me were all sitting at the front of the boat listening to ‘Break Free’ by Queen and as we were singing along to the song…I saw in the distance a dolphin fin. And I every day on the boat trips I am SEARCHING FOR DOLPHINS AND WHALES. And today I thought I saw a dolphin and turned to Tamara and stated, “I keep thinking I am seeing dolphin fins but it is just the waves,” but as I say that, we see more and more and Tamara goes, “no those ARE DOLPHINS!” We yelled to Itay and then to the captain and he turned the boat to dolphins. And Obiwan Kenobi, IT WAS A SCHOOL OF DOLPHINS. THERE WERE SO MANY. Just all around us! And they love boats (according to the captain)! Once we were with them they were jumping all around us! And they were HUGE! Look!:

We also met these really nice guys from Barcelona on the boat and chatted with them.
When we got back to Santa Cruz Margaux went with the two Spaniards to Tortuga Reserve and she took Itay and my advice to NOT bike there, so they took a truck there and planned to bike back.

Itay and I wanted to see the Darwin Institute so we walked there and found the most beautiful street in Santa Cruz! We were there for a week and never knew about this street! It was right along the beach and had a bunch of small shops and restaurants. We then went to the museum and were surprised about how outside it was. The museum has the last of a species of Tortugas and has his frozen body, his name was George. We also saw some yellow iguanas and a ton of baby and different aged tortugas!

Last of his kind!

After this, we met up with Margaux and the Spaniards, Margaux was very upset about how difficult the bike ride back was and Itay and I could relate to painfully difficult bike rides!

Later we left for San Cristobal. At first the boat STOPPED WORKING…

But eventually we were there! for the first time of my life I got nauseous on the boat! I didn’t throw up but, I usually love the bumps and all that stuff but I don’t know what happened, it might have been that this boat was all covered and just very hot and sweaty inside? I don’t know.

Margaux had a friend whom told her to go to Casa de Louis for a hostel in San Cristobal. We told the cab and he took us to LA CASA DE LEWIS. Which we later found out…but, were SO PLEASANTLY surprised! We loved La Casa de Lewis! It was our own little apartment! With a kitchen and a little balcony and the beds were comfortable and the shower was hot and great!!!

Itay then cooked dinner for us and also taught me some things and I helped! Then
we headed to bed.

Margaux and Itay making dinner

Day 44: Wednesday, November 14th
Galapagos, Island San Cristobal
Stayed at. La Casa De Lewis
(Day 12 at the Galapagos)

Today we all took a need REST DAY. And went to Playa Chino, supposed to be the most beautiful beach of San Cristobal. Sadly there was a lot of seaweed but it still was wonderful. We rented 2 snorkels and I snorkeled and swam a bunch.

Wait first look at this amazing photo I took of Itay, it sums him up pretty well as he sits reading Dostoevsky:

Here are some of the many sea lions on the beach! Including one getting angry at Itay:

OH, tonight Itay taught me how to make Schniztel and had ME DO IT. Like, I HAD TO WRIP CHICKEN A PART OBI and then SMUSH IT. And then put it in egg and drop it in OIL! I learned some cooking!

Day 45: Thursday, November 15th
Galapagos, Island San Cristobal
Stayed at La Casa De Lewis
(Day 13 at the Galapagos)

Today was the famous Kicker Rock! Another place to see Hammer heads if your a diver. The tour agency said I can’t do a discovery dive here so instead I snorkeled while both Itay and Margaux saw hammer heads! My snorkeling was fun too! Saw many sea lions and sea turtles and fish!

OH tonight Itay taught me how to make…some well known Yemen dish that he had be wanting to cook for us since the beginning but needed an oven! I can’t remember the name!

Day 46: Friday, November 16th
Galapagos, Island San Cristobal
Stayed at La Casa De Lewis
(Day 14 at the Galapagos)

WOW, today marks 2 weeks at the Galapagos! That’s insane! Today we went on the ‘360 Tour’ of San Cristobal. You stop at Kicker Rock and 3 other places where you hike and snorkel and lay on the beach!
Before this…to my horror I discovered I left the snorkels front the beach the other day on a taxi…searched and searched and later that day found the taxi and he never saw the snorkels.

The guy at the tour agency was HORRIBLY rude, one of the worst people I’ve dealt with (besides CARLOS), it was as if I stoles them or burned his snorkels in front of him. Because of him I missed the breakfast they provided and felt awful about losing the stupid snorkels and had to pay $70 for them later tonight.

Anywho, the tour did not start off good. The first place they dropped us off the guy treated us like children and we asked him to respect us and…well…it was just awkward.

But, it got better later! And we snorkeled around some BEAUTIFUL rock formations. It was wonderful.

Then we spent our last night in San Cristobal…Itay met a lady on the boat who he went out to dinner with and Margaux and I had a nice last night in the Galapagos together!

Love you my Jedi, hope you’re getting your snuggles with your grandparents, I know I sure miss those snuggles!

Love tu Madre,

Carly