GALAPAGOS
AUGUST 2007
On August 14, 2007, 14 Tortuga Bay divers boarded a big bird and began a much awaited adventure to the mystical islands of the Galapagos.
Our journey began once we landed in Quito, Ecuador. We would be spending a week aboard the Aggressor I but timed our arrival in Ecuador to be two days early in order to assure all our luggage boarded the vessel with us. While in Ecuador we toured the country side and did some power shopping. We found Ecuador to be a beautiful country filled with lush green pastures and many friendly people. Also found some great values on wool and leather goods.
On August 16th we flew from Quito to Galapagos and boarded our vessel. This was the start of what was to prove a remarkable experience which I am sure none of us will soon forget.
We spent 7 nights on board the Galapagos Aggressor I, making 4 to 5 dives per day, plus taking land excursions in between dives. The abundance of animal life both below the water as well as on land is absolutely mind boggling. It was not uncommon on our dives to be surrounded by one or two dozen Hammerhead Sharks and a mixture of Eels, Rays, Turtles and about any type of standard marine life you can think of. Sea Lions would swim down to check out what we were doing and occasionally even a Dolphin.
For most of us however, the up close and personal experience of scuba diving with Whale Sharks was the highlight of the trip. To swim along side a creature that can be up to 50 foot in length is a very humbling experience.
This was a true once in a lifetime experience. Many photos were taken and the following are contributions from several photographers. We hope you enjoy them.
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| THE VISITORS | THE NATIVES | |
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| MAMA BOOBIE AND BABY | JUVENILE BOOBIE ATTACKING RON | |
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| A BARBIE FISH | EAGLE RAY | |
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| FRIGATE BIRD LOOKING FOR A DATE | BEVERLY AND GLENN | |
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| JUST ANOTHER MORAY | GALAPAGOS GREETING PARTY | |
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| REBECCA AND DAVID | PHILLIP TROLLING FOR SHARKS | |
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| ONE OF MANY HAMMERHEADS | A BEVERLY FISH | |
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| ABANDONED BABY SEA TURTLE | GETTING A LIFT BACK TO THE WATER | |
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| LITTLE BARBIE, JOAN AND PHILLIP | A PRETTY FISH | |
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| HUMPBACK WHALE PASSING BY | THE HUMPBACK WAVE | |
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| DARWIN'S ARCH | THE LIGHTHOUSE GANG | |
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| LAND IGUANA | MARINE IGUANA | |
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| HEATHER'S NEW FRIEND | LUNCH AT PINSAQUI | |
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| SALLY LIGHTFOOT CRABS | STRADDLING THE EQUATOR | |
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| BIG SEA TURTLE | MINNIE MOUSE GALAPAGOS STYLE | |
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| DR. JIM | THE FLEET | |
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| ONE BIG SHADOW!! | HEATHER AND OUR VIDEO GURU WILLIAM | |
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| THE SCRAMBLE FOR THE WHALESHARK | EVERYTHING GETS OUT OF HIS WAY | |
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| WATCH OUT FOR THAT MOUTH!!! | LITTLE FISH AND BIG FISH | |
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| REBECCA FISH | WILLIAM ABOUT TO FEEL THE TAIL | |
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| AND FINALLY THE SUN SET ON OUR GREAT ADVENTURE | ||
Photo credits: Sue Myers, David Funderburk, Ron Bland and all the fine video work by William Zaggle.