Espanola Island
This morning we were allowed to sleep in a bit. Some of us went early to the sundeck where Hilda was teaching stretch out exercises before breakfast. The morning was clear, and a nice breeze was blowing, perfect for snorkeling, or kayaking, or to simply walk along a white flat sandy beach and take a nap with the sea lions. These were the options and the three were taken with a notorious preference for snorkeling. Those who got in their wetsuits were not disappointed, the ocean offered as much a variety of fish as can be in the area, which made us all glad since this was the last opportunity to do it. After the snorkeling, we met the kayakers and the “beach walkers” at the beach. By noon, everyone was back on board; it was hard to part with the gear and the wet suits.
Right before lunch, instructions were given about our disembarkation for tomorrow. The Islander left the first anchorage place and took us to Punta Suarez, some forty minutes from where we were. The point is located on the Southwest side of Espanola.
Three thirty was the landing time, but most of us were ready and eager to go before the gates were open. Most of our guests went ashore but some took the ride by the cliffs. Both options allowed us to see lots of sea birds and sea lions, everybody’s favorites. The trail was full of life as usual, but even more now that albatrosses have arrived to their nesting sites; they were flying, walking, courting right by the trail and patiently letting all and each take their pictures. No one can get over this accepting behavior from these animals, be it birds, reptiles or sea lions. We had to walk really close to them; some were up on the trails avoiding the high tide, and big colorful lava lizards were running across our path. It was another beautiful afternoon which was a golden lock for the end of a great trip.
This morning we were allowed to sleep in a bit. Some of us went early to the sundeck where Hilda was teaching stretch out exercises before breakfast. The morning was clear, and a nice breeze was blowing, perfect for snorkeling, or kayaking, or to simply walk along a white flat sandy beach and take a nap with the sea lions. These were the options and the three were taken with a notorious preference for snorkeling. Those who got in their wetsuits were not disappointed, the ocean offered as much a variety of fish as can be in the area, which made us all glad since this was the last opportunity to do it. After the snorkeling, we met the kayakers and the “beach walkers” at the beach. By noon, everyone was back on board; it was hard to part with the gear and the wet suits.
Right before lunch, instructions were given about our disembarkation for tomorrow. The Islander left the first anchorage place and took us to Punta Suarez, some forty minutes from where we were. The point is located on the Southwest side of Espanola.
Three thirty was the landing time, but most of us were ready and eager to go before the gates were open. Most of our guests went ashore but some took the ride by the cliffs. Both options allowed us to see lots of sea birds and sea lions, everybody’s favorites. The trail was full of life as usual, but even more now that albatrosses have arrived to their nesting sites; they were flying, walking, courting right by the trail and patiently letting all and each take their pictures. No one can get over this accepting behavior from these animals, be it birds, reptiles or sea lions. We had to walk really close to them; some were up on the trails avoiding the high tide, and big colorful lava lizards were running across our path. It was another beautiful afternoon which was a golden lock for the end of a great trip.
