Before our final dinner aboard the Flamingo, we have a farewell cocktail with our crew who has served us well for the last week. Our cook even makes a cake (which is understandably a little lopsided), that Renato helped decorate with blue-footed booby feet.
Our final day, we visit the Interpretation Centre on San Cristóbal Island. The centre is wonderfully designed, and very informative. The contour map, complete with underwater geology really helps to demonstrate the "hot spot" theory of the islands. The timeline history display shows everything from the whalers' impact to the islands, to the mystery of the Baroness and her three lovers on Floreana. Finally, the last display shows the impact of introduced animals, and shows the admirable efforts of conservation of this living laboratory of evolution.
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Too soon, we've reached the end of this leg of our journey. We spend the rest of the morning, drinking beers by the docks, with our new friends. I already miss the islands, and still enjoy reading books about the history, wildlife and science of the them. The Galapagos Islands is a destination that stays with you after you leave.
We fly back to Quito, and it takes some getting used to the sound of car horns, traffic, crowded sidewalks, and smog again. It doesn't take any time getting used to hot showers, and a bed that doesn't sway. We take advantage of it, since we need the rest for the Amazon, tomorrow.