Isabela and Fernandina
Another amazing day began with the “choice” of arising early to search for whales and dolphins or sleeping in. Those of us who did get up, and that included almost everyone, were rewarded with sighting a very large pod of common dolphins. The morning was overcast as we sailed alongside Isabela Island, but was excellent for watching the wedge-rumped storm petrels, dark-rumped petrels, and red footed boobies that were sighted.
Immediately following a fabulous breakfast, we were treated to a remarkable initiation ritual which included fearsome pirates, the sea nymph Nereida, and King Neptune himself. All Polliwogs, those of us who had never crossed the equator by ship, were brought into the exclusive club of Shellbacks. Baptism by saltwater and spicy cocktails were part of this unusual event.
We then embarked upon a coastal navigation via Zodiac at Punta Vicente Roca. There we spotted flightless cormorants, sea turtles, Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans and numerous sea lions. Following the Zodiac tour, many elected to also experience the area by snorkeling along the same coast. We were rewarded with many sea turtles, frolicking penguins, rays, sea lions and many fish as we snorkeled through the clear water.
Lunch on this day was possibly even more special than the many other wonderful meals aboard the M.S. Islander. We enjoyed a typical Ecuadorian buffet lunch preceded by an explanation of each food item. The food was excellent and the service superb. It was enjoyed by all.
What was supposed to be siesta time was pleasantly interrupted by sightings of killer whales, red-necked phalaropes, frigate birds, and a mola-mola! A short while later, the pangas were loaded up with folks ready to explore another island, Fernandina. We landed at Punta Espinosa for a walk along the irregular lava flow and observed hundreds of marine iguanas, extremely well camouflaged on the dark lava, basking in the sun. It was an extraordinary place to enjoy the setting sun.
Another amazing day began with the “choice” of arising early to search for whales and dolphins or sleeping in. Those of us who did get up, and that included almost everyone, were rewarded with sighting a very large pod of common dolphins. The morning was overcast as we sailed alongside Isabela Island, but was excellent for watching the wedge-rumped storm petrels, dark-rumped petrels, and red footed boobies that were sighted.
Immediately following a fabulous breakfast, we were treated to a remarkable initiation ritual which included fearsome pirates, the sea nymph Nereida, and King Neptune himself. All Polliwogs, those of us who had never crossed the equator by ship, were brought into the exclusive club of Shellbacks. Baptism by saltwater and spicy cocktails were part of this unusual event.
We then embarked upon a coastal navigation via Zodiac at Punta Vicente Roca. There we spotted flightless cormorants, sea turtles, Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans and numerous sea lions. Following the Zodiac tour, many elected to also experience the area by snorkeling along the same coast. We were rewarded with many sea turtles, frolicking penguins, rays, sea lions and many fish as we snorkeled through the clear water.
Lunch on this day was possibly even more special than the many other wonderful meals aboard the M.S. Islander. We enjoyed a typical Ecuadorian buffet lunch preceded by an explanation of each food item. The food was excellent and the service superb. It was enjoyed by all.
What was supposed to be siesta time was pleasantly interrupted by sightings of killer whales, red-necked phalaropes, frigate birds, and a mola-mola! A short while later, the pangas were loaded up with folks ready to explore another island, Fernandina. We landed at Punta Espinosa for a walk along the irregular lava flow and observed hundreds of marine iguanas, extremely well camouflaged on the dark lava, basking in the sun. It was an extraordinary place to enjoy the setting sun.
