A day full of magic!

After finishing my last blog post, it was time to prepare for a truly special occasion: my three little pirates were about to turn from pollywogs into proper shellbacks as we crossed the equator.

At around 6:20 a.m. Panama time, I gently (well… perhaps not so gently) summoned them from their beds. Neptune waits for no one — especially not sleepy children. Sacrifices must be made!

We toasted with glasses filled to the brim with marshmallows, and one full glass was solemnly offered to the mighty God of the Sea. The children were not entirely convinced that throwing their favorite treat into the ocean was a brilliant idea — but every worthy sacrifice requires a little heartbreak. Luckily, they were allowed to eat the remaining marshmallows, and spirits quickly recovered.

Together we watched a breathtaking sunrise. Afterwards, I evicted our uninvited squatters and tackled the rather pungent evidence they had left behind. Let me tell you: scrubbing that stuff off is no small task. I felt like I was polishing the hull of the Titanic.

Then, at 10:30 a.m., the long-awaited cry rang out: “Land ho!”
The first outline of the Galápagos Archipelago appeared on the horizon.

And clearly, Neptune approved of our ceremony. He rewarded us with calm seas — and even sent a hammerhead shark to escort us in.

As we drew closer, the wildlife grew more abundant. Enormous sea turtles drifted past (at first we mistook them for floating logs), rays glided beneath the surface, birds circled overhead — and then we spotted our first sea lion.

At 17:30 we dropped anchor in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on the island of San Cristóbal Island. Imagine sitting down to dinner while, just a few feet away, a sea lion settles in for the night. This kind of magic exists only here. These are the moments that imprint themselves on your heart forever.

For now, we remain boat-bound until our official clearance tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. But with wildlife visiting us right at our doorstep, boredom is hardly a concern.

We can hardly wait to explore San Cristóbal again — a place that holds such a special corner of my heart. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy to be back.