Josie Maria Departs Panama City (La Playita Marina) for Wreck Bay, San Cristobal Galapagos 14^th April to 20^th April

Josie Maria heads towards San Cristobal, Galapagos Archipelago at midday on the 14^th April with Gordon, Charlie, John and Vicki onboard.

In the morning we had a diver remove barnacles from the through-holes where the salt water comes into the boat to cool the refrigeration systems and the engine and generator and we refueled.  We had provisioned at Shelter Bay Marina – so apart from restocking drinks (Coke definitely a necessity when entertaining officials!).

We had done lots of paperwork for our agent in Galapagos so that we would be ready for a 15 day cruise commencing on the 24^th April – this is something that Vicki is particularly excited about! We had the boat fumigated and a fumigation certificate awarded, the bottom cleaned – as we were told it would be inspected by divers on entry, had lots of letters written to indicate that we were a private yacht, that we would obey the MARPOL rules, that we would stick to our itinerary for the cruise that was prepared by the agent and the Ecuadorian Navy – even though this wasn’t finalized yet and so on…..

The voyage to Galapagos was characterized by very little wind and glass-like seas – we did a lot of motoring!

On the 3^rd day of the voyage – 16^th April small squid were found on deck, not sure what they were running from!

With watches 3 hours on and 9 hours off – it’s a very comfortable trip with everyone sleeping well!

A juvenile Red Footed Boobie joins us - hanging onto the pulpit rail (at the front of the boat) for over 24 hours from the 18^th  -  it flew off within minutes of us arriving at our Wreck Bay anchorage in San Cristobal. We were concerned that it might be sick – but were soon to discover that Boobies are not afraid of humans – hence their name!!

We had nick-named the bird Poddy G Neptune – Poddy because it was on the mothership (so a pod!) and G Neptune because we were on our way to Galapagos and it was on-board when we crossed the Equator!!

The bird was identified by our naturalist guide (from the photo attached ) because its feet actually curled around the pulpit rail and the safety rail when it moved closer to us!

The Equator Crossing!!

At 1718 Boat time (-4UTC) on the 19^th April we cross the equator for the first time onboard Josie Maria and have a small equator crossing party (cup-cakes, and a glass of champagne/juice).  We have a bit of a party because we have finally made it into the Southern Hemisphere!!

We arrive in Galapagos on the morning of the 20^th April, Charlie spots whales in the distance and we see lots of sea lions, swimming around the yacht. The wind is still, the sea calm and a mist hangs over the island of San Cristobal.  It looks and feels surreal – we have finally arrived and ready for the adventure of cruising the Archipelago!