Blogging from A to Z 2026 - B is for Baltra and Bornholm

As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.

Our November trip to the Galapagos Islands started with a flight from Guyaquil in Ecuador to the Airport on Baltra Island.

Walk to the terminal on Baltra Island

"Baltra Island (Spanish: Isla Baltra) is a small island in the Galápagos Archipelago in Ecuador. It is a small flat island located near the center of the chain and includes Seymour Airport (GPS), originally established by the United States Air Force to help monitor and protect western access to the Panama Canal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltra_Island."

After a bumpy ride in a basic bus we were transferred by zodiac to our floating home, the National Geographic Gemini. 

All aboard for the Gemini

We did not visit Baltra again until we we disembarked the ship for our ride to the airport and return to Guyaquil.

"Bornholm (Danish pronunciation: [pɒːnˈhʌlˀm]) is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, to the east of the rest of Denmark, south of Sweden, northeast of Germany and north of Poland. 
Strategically located, Bornholm has been fought over for centuries. It has usually been ruled by Denmark, but also by Sweden and by Lübeck. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bornholm.

Our ship  docked in an industrial port in the town of Ronne on Bornholm. While my husband took an organised tour focussing on World War Two I opted for a long walk through the town where I had hope to get a hair cut. No luck there. I enjoyed wandering at my own pace through town centre and residential areas finishing my jaunt by a visit to a very pretty church.

Our home away from home

Spotted on a Doorstep - This Welcome brought on a bout of homesickness

I walked this very long street

There were several traditional buildings along the way

The next five images are from the Town Square

I was so pleased this Church was open 

I took a seat and reflected on the peace and beauty of the building

The Lighthouse gave me a clue where to find the road where
I could find the shuttle bus back to the ship. 

My husband enjoyed his WW2 trip which included visits to a Cemetery, Fortifications and a Museums

Other B islands we have visited include Bartolome, Bruny and Burano