After spending the entire morning in the amazing landscape of [Las Grietas](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/las-grietas-discovering-an-amazing-work-of-nature-galapagos-islands-the-ecuador-diary-las-grietas-descubriendo-una-asombrosa-o), in the afternoon I went to visit another natural place in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island: the Lagoon of the Nymphs. >*Después de pasar toda la mañana en el asombroso paisaje de [Las Grietas](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/las-grietas-discovering-an-amazing-work-of-nature-galapagos-islands-the-ecuador-diary-las-grietas-descubriendo-una-asombrosa-o), en la tarde fui a conocer otro lugar natural de Puerto Ayora, isla Santa Cruz: la Laguna de Las Ninfas.* ![264.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EoyPZBpPZt7eUbDsTKMbonhHAvxj4W9TaMqFqsqSqEmXZF3rNYPjWseHeoKFZc63TQ9.JPG) This lagoon is located in the urban area of Puerto Ayora, very close to the Gus Angermeyer Tourist Pier. Since I had my map, I simply looked up which street it was on and walked there. >*Esta laguna se encuentra en la zona urbana de Puerto Ayora, muy cerca del Muelle turístico Gus Angermeyer. Como tenía mi mapa, simplemente miré por qué calle era y me fui caminando hasta allá.* ![265.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EnYRvDTRn6UpgAwM4VdrJ6RBSSdb8nzYpkFTPs795epQBkaKGJx6G6LuUDkphXmvrcS.JPG) Its entrance is quite striking and somewhat mysterious. Upon passing through the gate, you immediately see the lagoon and feel a sense of tranquility. Nature and its sounds envelop you. >*Su entrada es bastante llamativa y algo misteriosa también. Al pasar por el portón inmediatamente ves la laguna y sientes un clima de tranquilidad. La naturaleza y sus sonidos te envuelven.* ![268.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EqUeQz7Y6GYAMvDLQa7qH6shSBspCdQefJRxpjpAjxF9cgMtNSoBSLv6S9jJswHasB1.JPG) ![269.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EpLfbSEQ3YFsb2fG2bMrBRRu3HWdeYJEiLe8PvB865qKeXakxVMvbAEhXWbN9vKa96x.JPG) The Lagoon of the Nymphs is a place to observe some birds characteristic of the Galapagos Islands (finches, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies), vegetation such as mangroves, and also marine life (fish, sea turtles, rays). It has an area of approximately 150 meters wide by 40 meters long, and admission was free. >*La Laguna de las Ninfas es un lugar para observar algunas aves características de las Islas Galápagos (pinzones, fragatas, piqueros de patas azules), vegetación como manglares, y también vida marina (peces, tortugas marinas, rayas). Tiene una superficie de aproximadamente 150 metros de ancho por 40 metros de largo y la entrada era gratuita.* ![270.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EpQvJmLw2R3Vv37U6q8Kmxy8pLfC9UGKinvgziCQr7WjGKPSZMNJR9W27geJ7qqDsBw.JPG) The route is via wooden bridges. There is an interpretive trail that explains the importance of mangroves to the ecosystem. >*El recorrido se hace a través de puentes de madera. Hay un sendero interpretativo que explica la importancia de los manglares para el ecosistema.* ![271.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EoCj5qPvTgbvABot4uexu7fjTrfG7N3zDxRySud9CYfQ96fPaqE1Mc12qdDoXGrRhEY.JPG) ![272.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EoyQQzWHccKhEHgEVMsxb4QCGw4pMguybaGkj1znfdEDFvasdA8tSt747KQPzx6D5gm.JPG) In its surroundings we can see two of the four species of mangrove that exist in the Galapagos Islands: the white mangrove and the red mangrove. >*En sus alrededores podemos ver dos de las cuatro especies de manglar que existen en las Islas Galápagos: el mangle blanco y el mangle rojo.* ![273.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/23y8oapg9HDdWQx5aky8deCbq6WcQVBQP5bhTVtbFvHPj2vEDa9dwqc6fk5VRytqeDuva.JPG) Their ecological functions are vital. They purify water, protect the coast from strong waves, are nurseries for fish, crustaceans and mollusks, and thanks to their powerful roots they prevent soil erosion, among other things. >*Sus funciones ecológicas son vitales. Purifican el agua, protegen la costa de fuertes oleajes, son criaderos de peces, crustáceos y moluscos, y gracias a sus potentes raíces previenen la erosión del suelo, entre otras cosas.* ![275.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/Eptazb1BZg3GTwUGgkPGygHcnCynyDcun7N4XdgZhrevaBtwftHzo947NBJtrEQSo3K.JPG) ![276.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EogNKt54UAbvYgz261fRb6f2BH7zeFeraGRUFGJNsMQsmTZQoM3dWYuHCTJQZDmQxYP.JPG) In this lagoon of seawater mixed with freshwater, swimming is not allowed, only viewing. According to what I read, it's called that because many years ago some women used to bathe there naked, and that's why the men of that time began to call it the Lagoon of the Nymphs. A nymph is a female deity from Greek mythology who inhabits natural places. >*En esta laguna de agua de mar mezclada con agua dulce, no está permitido bañarse, sólo contemplar. Según leí, se llama así porque hace muchos años iban algunas mujeres allí a bañarse desnudas, y por eso los hombres de aquella época comenzaron a llamarla la Laguna de las Ninfas. Una ninfa es una deidad femenina de la mitología griega que habita en lugares naturales.* ![277.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/Ep7w4wKaSs61wXsAvMUdUh3d5vNKUAkRpwTCydwKwSnCpa7xjLTMje6jduFijuXGtoN.JPG) ![278.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EpxrDLgpbB9UV4nCRtNKdmkKZ4gzwLcvrBZrvmRbYhWwyPgeUVsfthAyC5d8BUmtT9e.JPG) ![279.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EpC9ubsjU2pzcc5F8t7Yjjxn1sTcrVW485uwk1USE7FSZMH1u8Jkn27qyZVDNpwZA9X.JPG) I spent a very relaxing afternoon in this brackish water estuary with a unique ecosystem, so I recommend it if you visit the Galapagos Islands 😉. >*Pasé una tarde muy relajante en este estuario de agua salobre poseedor de un ecosistema único, por lo que se los recomiendo si visitan las Islas Galápagos 😉.* ![280.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/23wMYAARbQ7vYpSkAHnd3q2Trot3CYXSuCnHLXaooFCGXm7Zt9cWbpM3tUW7VJxKqEFHN.JPG) ![282.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EopsvmWhPtBhBveTfXUYR6Wm5XYs3LCGuc6GDnWe7ZLMPpcBC6UoV2aH7rPaNee13T7.JPG) ![281.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sofathana/EoErV4Z6EPdHgdMC4yfFpyTpQt1NkxjjMvHiJjrN88G3jctiTKZC3EGyGEdiAuWjvPh.JPG) I hope you found it interesting, and if you want to read the previous chapters of this travel diary, here are the links. Until next time! >*Espero que les haya parecido interesante, y si quieren leer los capítulos anteriores de este diario de viaje, les dejo los enlaces. ¡Hasta la próxima!* _{[Quito, my first encounter with the capital of the "Middle of the World" - The Ecuador diary / Quito, mi primer encuentro con la capital de la "Mitad del Mundo" - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/quito-my-first-encounter-with-the-capital-of-the-middle-of-the-world-the-ecuador-diary-quito-mi-primer-encuentro-con-la-capita)} _{[Quito at night, a stroll through La Ronda and the Panecillo viewpoint - The Ecuador diary / Quito de noche, un paseo por La Ronda y el mirador del Panecillo - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/quito-at-night-a-stroll-through-la-ronda-and-the-panecillo-viewpoint-the-ecuador-diary-quito-de-noche-un-paseo-por-la-ronda-y-el)} _{[Touring the great indigenous market of Otavalo - The Ecuador diary / Recorriendo el gran mercado indígena de Otavalo - El diario de Ecuador]( https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/touring-the-great-indigenous-market-of-otavalo-the-ecuador-diary-recorriendo-el-gran-mercado-indigena-de-otavalo-el-diario-de-ec)} _{[Journey to the centre of the world - The Ecuador diary / Viaje al centro del mundo - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/journey-to-the-centre-of-the-world-the-ecuador-diary-viaje-al-centro-del-mundo-el-diario-de-ecuador)} _{[Excursion to the Pululahua crater, an inhabited volcano - The Ecuador diary / Excursión al cráter del Pululahua, un volcán habitado - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/excursion-to-the-pululahua-crater-an-inhabited-volcano-the-ecuador-diary-excursion-al-crater-del-pululahua-un-volcan-habitado-el)} _{[Climbing the Rucu Pichincha volcano, a somewhat improvised adventure that turned out to be perfect - The Ecuador diary / Subiendo al volcán Rucu Pichincha, una aventura algo improvisada que resultó perfecta - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/climbing-the-rucu-pichincha-volcano-a-somewhat-improvised-adventure-that-turned-out-to-be-perfect-the-ecuador-diary-subiendo-al-)} _{[Getting to know the Guayasamín House Museum and The Chapel of Man - The Ecuador diary / Conociendo la Casa Museo Guayasamín y La Capilla del Hombre - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/getting-to-know-the-guayasamin-house-museum-and-the-chapel-of-man-the-ecuador-diary-conociendo-la-casa-museo-guayasamin-y-la-cap)} _{[Traveling to the exotic Galapagos Islands with a free ticket - The Ecuador diary / Viajando a las exóticas Islas Galápagos con boleto gratis - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/traveling-to-the-exotic-galapagos-islands-with-a-free-ticket-the-ecuador-diary-viajando-a-las-exoticas-islas-galapagos-con-bolet)} _{[Getting to know the giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands at the Charles Darwin Research Station - The Ecuador diary / Conociendo a las tortugas gigantes de las Islas Galápagos en la Estación Científica Charles Darwin - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/getting-to-know-the-giant-tortoises-of-the-galapagos-islands-at-the-charles-darwin-research-station-the-ecuador-diary-conociendo)} _{[Among marine iguanas and Darwin's finches in Tortuga Bay, Galapagos Islands - The Ecuador diary / Entre iguanas marinas y pinzones de Darwin en Bahía Tortuga, Islas Galápagos - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/among-marine-iguanas-and-darwins-finches-in-tortuga-bay-galapagos-islands-the-ecuador-diary-entre-iguanas-marinas-y-pinzones-de)} _{[La Loberia, a beach where you can interact with the sea lions of the Galapagos Islands - The Ecuador diary / La Lobería, una playa donde puedes interactuar con los lobos marinos de las Islas Galápagos - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/la-loberia-a-beach-where-you-can-interact-with-the-sea-lions-of-the-galapagos-islands-the-ecuador-diary-la-loberia-una-playa-don)} _{[The beautiful beach of Puerto Chino, its wildlife, and the viewpoint / Galapagos Islands - The Ecuador diary || La hermosa playa de Puerto Chino, su fauna y el mirador / Islas Galápagos - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/the-beautiful-beach-of-puerto-chino-its-wildlife-and-the-viewpoint-galapagos-islands-the-ecuador-diary-la-hermosa-playa-de-puert)} _{[Las Grietas: Discovering an amazing work of nature, Galapagos Islands - The Ecuador diary / Las Grietas: Descubriendo una asombrosa obra de la naturaleza, Islas Galápagos - El diario de Ecuador](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@sofathana/las-grietas-discovering-an-amazing-work-of-nature-galapagos-islands-the-ecuador-diary-las-grietas-descubriendo-una-asombrosa-o)}
**THANKS FOR VISITING MY BLOG! / ¡GRACIAS POR VISITAR MI BLOG!**
_{***All photos are my property and were taken with a Sony Cyber Shot digital camera / Todas las fotos son de mi propiedad y fueron tomadas con una cámara digital Sony Cyber Shot***} [//]:# (!worldmappin -0.74768 lat -90.31648 long d3scr)

Las Islas Marías