Awesome is a pretty over used word and there must be a better one to describe the sense one gets with the first view of these islands underneath a cloud way off in the distance. Initially it looks like two or more islands since the approach provides a view of the Northeast end and the Northwest side of San Cristobal. You can get an idea of the perspective we had from the Chart View showing our actual track sailed (the blue line leading from Panama). Interestingly, there is no evidence of civilization on the parts of the island we could see when approaching. No houses or evidence of any buildings, roads, towers or anything until you are practically in the little village that surrounds the harbor at the bottom of the island.



The blue line on the Chart View above represents the last 40 or so NM of our passage to the Galapagos, and was stopped when we anchored yesterday, Saturday May 13th in the harbor at the southern end of Isla San Cristobal. Our Log reflects we anchored at 1515 local time. It also reflects the passage was 1003.63 NM in length and took seven days, five hours. Slower than Cailin Lomhara's usual long passage speed of about 6.8 kts. But not terrible considering the adverse currents getting out of the Gulf of Panama and the inability to use our largest headsail.

So, you might be wondering, why did it take over a full day to post some information. The short answer is we have been very busy and a wee bit tired. Here are some of the details.

As we are setting the anchor, me driving and Charlene and Stine doing the heavy work of lowering the anchor one of the local water taxis came alongside. I admit here the language barrier is my inability with languages not native to me, therefore I tried to wave him off thinking he was like the boat boys of the Caribbean trying to sell me some service. He was more persistent and I finally understood he was simply trying to find out who my agent was for handling formalities. I passed along the name and he left in a flash. No sooner had I got the snubber on the chain than he was back with a woman, who is the sister of Johnny, the agent, and works in the business. She does not speak one word of English and is delightful and efficient and I soon know what she needs. Three copies each of; Ships Documents, Passports, Crew List, Zarpe from Panama, Fumigation Certificate, Liability Insurance coverage (environmental cleanup), Veterinarian Certificate from Panama for each of our two cats. Once she had all the paper she called her taxi aquatic on a handheld VHF radio and departed. Two things as she was getting off the boat. Inspection by officials at 0900 tomorrow (today) and what date did I wire the funds to pay for all this.

This morning at 0830 there is a knock on the hull, that is not the three sea lions that took up residence on the stern swim platform. It is my agents' sister making sure we will be ready at 0900. I assured her we were ready and off the taxi takes her. At 0900 the taxi returns, this time with a full load of inspectors and officials, our agent's sister and an interpreter, who is Johnny's nephew. A family business. The 8 officials, making it 10 visitors in all came aboard welcoming us to Ecuador and the Galapagos. The Captain of the Port, in his white uniform was last to board and more effusive in his welcome.

They set about their work efficiently, the diver obtaining a copy of the certification of the last bottom paint and hull cleaning, Immigration getting all the Passports etc. About an hour and a half later the Immigration officer handed back our stamped Passports, the Customs officer had me sign and stamp a bunch of papers, then the Captain of the Port Instructed us to lower the Q flag and raise the Ecuador courtesy flag. Turns out that the version of the Ecuador flag sold by US boat stores is incorrect, and we are not to fly it and go buy the proper flag. Not bad for clearing in.

More later..............