Fernandina gave us another fantastic day in the Galapagos. We began early in the morning to explore this pristine and youngest island. However, when hiking in Punta Espinoza, at the east of the island, we encountered a few obstacles, like the few hundred of marine iguanas that we had to jump over to continue our hike! Sea lions and hawks were stealing the show, but a definite highlight was the flightless cormorants with a few chicks in their nest. The day warmed up as we finished the hike, so it became clear that our next activity should be snorkeling. We geared up and off we went, and on the way, a humpback whale showed up! In the water we saw marine iguanas feeding, lots and lots of sea turtles, sea lions playing and fish everywhere! On the way back, our hotel manager Juan Sebastian was waiting for us with hot chocolate to warm up!
Lunch was served and after our global explorers gathered in the library to design a new species of fish with our undersea specialist, while other guests had the chance to learn from our guest lecturer, Frank Sesno and his students about his project “Planet Forward”.
In the afternoon, we went on a Zodiac ride along Punta Vicente Roca, a monumental cliff that hosts the Galapagos fur seals, sea turtles, marine iguanas and flightless cormorants. We were surprised when a few hammerhead sharks, sunfish and manta rays showed up next to our Zodiacs! What a treat! Still the day was not over, and back onboard we gathered on the sun deck for some wine tasting and a celebration to cross the equator line, with some pirates that assaulted our ship.
During recap session, we learned how to identify the different species of Darwin´s finches and to hear what tomorrow will bring. Dinner was served right after and the animated chatting gave us a feeling that the Galapagos was not disappointing our guests. Then to bed, we have to have the energy to enjoy more and more of this wonderful archipelago!
