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.
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| 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.
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| 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 hoped to get a hair cut. No luck there. I enjoyed wandering at my own pace through town centre and residential areas finishing my jaunt with a visit to a very pretty church.
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| Our home away from home |
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| Spotted on a Doorstep - This Welcome brought on a bout of homesickness |
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| I walked this very long street |
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| There were several traditional buildings along the way |
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| The next five images are from the Town Square |
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| I was so pleased this Church was open |
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| I took a seat and reflected on the peace and beauty of the building |
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| The Lighthouse gave me a clue where to find the road where I could find the shuttle bus back to the ship. |
Other B islands we have visited include Bali, Ballestas Islands, Bartolome, Bermuda, Bigge Island, Bora Bora, Borneo, Bruny Island and Burano
Bonus Post - A Day Room
I'm so jealous, I'd love to visit the Galapagos one day. beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteIt's fantastic - I'd return in a heartbeat if I could.
DeleteLovely photographs
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra. Great to see other Australians in the challenge
DeleteGreat theme, Jill. I am always in awe of your various jaunts.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your support Anonymous.
DeleteI've always thought I'd love to visit the Galapagos Islands Jill. Fancy bumping into Koalas so far away from home.
ReplyDeleteWe travellers find lots of surprises
DeleteThe St Nicholas church looks so simple and peaceful. Just wandering around a place can be so rewarding. THe boss’s secretary went to the Galapagos back in the mid-1980s. It seemed so exotic, and I’ve just remembered she brought me back a T-shirt, which I’d totally forgotten. I’ve got 2 places from your list: Burano and Bruny…go me!! 😂
ReplyDeleteFinding that Church at the end of my walk was a bonus. Although I'm not too religious I love Gods Houses.
DeleteThe church does look light and airy. Walking around was my favorite thing to do when visiting anywhere.
ReplyDeleteTwo such different islands!
ReplyDeletehttps://nydamprintsblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2026/03/b-is-for-beyond.html
I would have loved to visit the Galápagos Islands. John wasn't keen even though he's a fan of Charles Darwin. I loved your photos in the island of Bornholm. Wandering around on your own can be satisfying. I would have liked the WW2 tour as well. Decisions!
ReplyDelete