First impression of Galapagos: in San Cristobal, sea lions rule the island. They have their own beach, but really, they haul out wherever they feel like it. Town benches, in the middle of the sidewalk, on trails. I almost accidentally tripped over one that was sound asleep on the sidewalk. They snort and make sounds like they’re retching after a night of drinking. And yeah, they have a bit of an odor. But they sure are entertaining to watch!

They are considered an endangered species and are highly protected. When one parked himself in the middle of a trail leading to a beach, a ranger stood by rerouting pedestrians off the trail to bypass him.