I did not get much sleep last night. I felt a bit rough with stomach cramps and worse….. I was probably dehydrated after yesterday morning’s exceedingly hot walk or maybe the water on the swim with the sea lions was less than hygienic. I only have fruit and water for breakfast and soon start to feel better. Today is a changeover day so I can take it easy. We go for a panga ride before breakfast to see Cerritos Bruno which is a very rugged piece of coastline with occasional inlets and a tunnel that leads through to the far side. There is a big swell and it takes some carful manoeuvring to transit the tunnel.

The cliffs are massive and looking up as we go through the tunnel feels very much like we are in a cathedral. We can see kicker rock – a huge monolith protruding from the sea. We return to the boat and a short sail takes us directly past Kicker Rock, which does look somewhat like a boot.

A two hour sail brings us into San Cristobal harbour.

Sea lions have pretty much taken over the port. They laze on the docks, benches and sidewalks and refuse to budge.

We have time to go shopping then return to the Solaris for lunch. The new guests arrive and we visit another tortoise breeding centre on the far side of the island at Colorado Hill.

This is the 4th tortoise experience and I have to admit to being a little tortoised out. I concentrate on the flowers and bird life.

Finches are elusive and have been on the entire trip. I watch a San Cristobal mocking bird – unique to this island and am taunted by a yellow warbler that darts in and out of the branches.

We have more time in town where we buy postcards to send home from Post Office Bay on Floreana tomorrow. It is an old naval tradition and I shall tell you more about that later….

One other couple have stayed on the boat – Kev and Wes. They are good company and we sit in a bar together until it is time to leave. It is very, very hot. The sea lions play in the water. They are entertaining but I have to admit they do not smell delightful. We return to the boat and watch the sun set.

We have a pre-dinner welcome drink with the crew and yet another boat briefing. I think I know it by heart. This is the downside to doing the 3 circuits but at least we stay on the same boat. Upside is of course that you see all the islands and just doing one circuit would have been a huge mistake. The four of us spread ourselves between the four dining room tables so the new guests are forced to mix. They seem more reserved than previous guests and it turns out that this was a good ploy and ice-breaker.