Galapagos: August 2022: Day 9: Isla San Cristobal and Guayaquil

Index
Day 1 - Guayaquil
Day 2 - Embarkation
Day 3 - N. Seymour/Rabida
Day 4 - Fernandina/Isabela
Day 5 - Isabela
Day 6 - Santiago
Day 7 - Santa Cruz
Day 8 - San Cristobal
Day 9 - San Cristobal
Day 10 - Return

Galapagos

August 2022: Day 9: Disembarkation

Returning life preservers.

Final meal on board the National Geographic Endeavour II.

Tamales were a new item. The dry bagels were not (but topped with smoked salmon was also new).

Hash browns.

The custom fried-hard bacon that was served daily.

Cheese tamales.

Chefs hard at work.

Disembarking the National Geographic Endeavour II for the last time.

Alicia and the colorful San Cristobal sign.

One last selfie with sea lions.

Not-a-selfie.

Impromptu football match before heading to the airport.

Lots of big smiles.

San Cristobal Airport (SCY) is not as small as you'd think.

Cheese sandwich in the gag lunch from National Geographic/Lindblad.

Fondue back at the Hotel Oro Verde.

Charcuterie board.

French onion soup wasn't bad.

Beef for the fondue. Forgettable, but okay enough.

The final meal onboard the National Geographic Endeavour II was breakfast, which, at least to me, was only meal I remotely looked forward to every day. The crew did some sort of cheese tamale and a smoked salmon bagel as the final meal, and while their efforts were appreciated... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The final zodiac ride, the last bit of beach with sea lions, and the final bit of relaxation a short bus ride away at a local farm/restuarant up the mountain. Passengers and naturalists alike enjoyed a quick pickup game of football (soccer), then it was off to San Cristobal's surprisingly busy airport for the passengers to return to the mainland.

Was randomly assigned (as expected) seats in economy class on the return flight to Guayaquil, ended up seated next to Felix, the expedition videographer, and had a nice chat about how he came to work for National Geographic/Lindblad Expeditions before letting him properly start his week off. Wrapped up the night with another indifferent meal at the Hotel Oro Verde. At least the fondue place was busy with fellow passengers, so was nice to see a few of them one last time before bidding farewell.