Espanola Island
This morning we have the luxury of a late rise. Shortly after nine, a group of snorkelers head out for a picture perfect session. The water is an enticing shade of turquoise blue, and we are blessed with a variety of fish including the stunning damselfish. Others opted for a high intensity kayak adventure. Afterwards we all met up on the white sand of Gardner Beach. Sea Lions joined as we lounged and strolled leisurely up and down the beach.
After lunch and our daily siesta, we embarked for Punta Suarez on Espanola Island, the oldest in the Galápagos Archipelago. Espanola is full of treats for us; dancing blue boobies and Nazca boobies, nesting iguanas, Galápagos hawks and of course soaring waved albatross. As we make our way along the rocky pathway, we get up close and personal with the magnificent waved albatross who arrived only last week on Espanola to mate. We also have the opportunity to see the hood mockingbird, a thirsty animated and unshy creature. The sea lions are also in abundance here, as the young frolic in the water and the adolescent males mock fight on the beach to show off.
Back onboard we relax and begin our packing. Shortly afterwards Captain Garces toasts us farewell. Danny Catt, aka. El Gato Guapo, gives a visual summary of Adventure Canada’s pre-birding tour and our tour thus far. From there it’s off to our farewell dinner of red snapper and beef tenderloin which gives way to imitations of the Galápagos wildlife. After Bruce’s boobies, Bob’s iguana and Danny’s tortoise, Vanessa steals the show with her Flamingo dance. An impromptu drinking game with a local cane alcohol ensues, as many of us down a shot of the Zhumir.
The lights are dimmed, and Freddy appears with some flashlights and we are treated to a surprise presentation by the staff. Out come William, Angel and Javier with the baked Alaska, the music starts and the staff start dancing. It is the perfect end to a perfect trip. The Pastry chef performs encore after encore to a cheering crowd. We head to bed, reluctant to sleep as we don’t want to waste a minute aboard the Islander.
This morning we have the luxury of a late rise. Shortly after nine, a group of snorkelers head out for a picture perfect session. The water is an enticing shade of turquoise blue, and we are blessed with a variety of fish including the stunning damselfish. Others opted for a high intensity kayak adventure. Afterwards we all met up on the white sand of Gardner Beach. Sea Lions joined as we lounged and strolled leisurely up and down the beach.
After lunch and our daily siesta, we embarked for Punta Suarez on Espanola Island, the oldest in the Galápagos Archipelago. Espanola is full of treats for us; dancing blue boobies and Nazca boobies, nesting iguanas, Galápagos hawks and of course soaring waved albatross. As we make our way along the rocky pathway, we get up close and personal with the magnificent waved albatross who arrived only last week on Espanola to mate. We also have the opportunity to see the hood mockingbird, a thirsty animated and unshy creature. The sea lions are also in abundance here, as the young frolic in the water and the adolescent males mock fight on the beach to show off.
Back onboard we relax and begin our packing. Shortly afterwards Captain Garces toasts us farewell. Danny Catt, aka. El Gato Guapo, gives a visual summary of Adventure Canada’s pre-birding tour and our tour thus far. From there it’s off to our farewell dinner of red snapper and beef tenderloin which gives way to imitations of the Galápagos wildlife. After Bruce’s boobies, Bob’s iguana and Danny’s tortoise, Vanessa steals the show with her Flamingo dance. An impromptu drinking game with a local cane alcohol ensues, as many of us down a shot of the Zhumir.
The lights are dimmed, and Freddy appears with some flashlights and we are treated to a surprise presentation by the staff. Out come William, Angel and Javier with the baked Alaska, the music starts and the staff start dancing. It is the perfect end to a perfect trip. The Pastry chef performs encore after encore to a cheering crowd. We head to bed, reluctant to sleep as we don’t want to waste a minute aboard the Islander.
