Isabela & Fernandina Island
What a wonderful day we had today. We had an optional wake-up call as we approached our next visitor site, Isabela Island. We were located in the northern hemisphere and it was 7:00am. Our crew and some of our guests were up searching for dolphins and whales. We were surrounded by isolation, a vast ocean and an impressive volcano on our port side.
The sun rose and we headed for the equator, soon to be in the southern hemisphere. Life will never be the same for our newborn “shellbacks” once we make the crossing!
Our pangas were deployed and we started our most wonderful ride along Isabela’s shoreline. Marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, penguins and flightless cormorants, all surrounded by volcanic features and a majestic 1000-foot tall wall, were right in front of us.
We returned back to the ship and went out for some snorkeling. Today was sea turtle day, with optimal visibility and a refreshing water temperature in the low seventies. When our snorkeling time was up, we went back onboard for lunch. Following our meal, and while the ship was navigating, our naturalist Walter Perez gave a talk about Charles Darwin.
In the afternoon we disembarked on the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina Island. This visitor site is pristine. Hundreds of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, crabs and even penguins call this place home. Lava flows frozen in time are there for us to walk upon, as proof of Mother Nature’s mighty power.
Today as we were surrounded by coexistence, a Galápagos hawk came and perched right on top of a sign by the trail. What a sight! We were astounded by the confidence of this top raptor. ‘What a lucky day!’ we thought and, soon after, a sunset brought a perfect ending to a wonderful day.
Our expedition continues on. We are now headed for the center part of the archipelago. We can’t wait for what’s coming next.
