Northern Isabela & Fernandina Island
After a very calm and long night of navigation, we have reached the youngest side of the Galápagos archipelago to spend the last day of the year. We couldn’t be in a better place. This morning we all enjoyed the navigation with sightings of many sea birds and rays. At the end, we were very lucky to get a glimpse of a Bryde’s whale.
We were all fascinated about the geology that surrounded us. Huge shield volcanoes of Isabela Island can be seen nearby. We went out for a panga ride along this rich shoreline, which gave us multiple sightings: marine iguanas, brown noddy terns, pelicans, penguins and flightless cormorants. The highlight for many of us was to find one of the giants of the ocean: the ocean sunfish. It was very impressive to see this huge fish propelling itself underwater.
For our afternoon, we repositioned the National Geographic Islander to Fernandina Island. We headed out for a walk on a very young “pahoehoe” lava flow. This is a place where only pioneer species, such as mangroves and lava cactus, can survive. Our usual daily companions, the sea lions, were once again the stars of the afternoon. Late in the afternoon we returned to the ship eager for the evening’s typical Ecuadorian New Year festivities.
Expedition Leader Lynn suggested we wear something yellow and something red tonight. To start off the New Year in yellow gives you good luck. To start off the New Year in red gives you luck in romance. We had $100 and $50 bills in our pockets for good economic fortune during 2009, and small change also, for the weeping widow of the old year. She (actually it was Jimmy, our bartender, dressed and made-up as an old woman) came noisily crying among us as we finished a delicious buffet served on the Sky Deck for guests and crew members alike. Encouraged and led by Lynn, those of us who hoped to travel during the coming year ran around the ship with our suitcases.
There was dancing until just before midnight, and Lynn led the count down as we toasted with champagne. The sailors lit the three old year effigies they had made from paper maché. With them the old year burned away, and we will start afresh tomorrow.
We did not realize Ecuador had so many strange and amusing New Year’s Eve traditions, but we have enjoyed celebrating the end of 2008 in the magical Galápagos Islands!
Happy 2009, everyone!
After a very calm and long night of navigation, we have reached the youngest side of the Galápagos archipelago to spend the last day of the year. We couldn’t be in a better place. This morning we all enjoyed the navigation with sightings of many sea birds and rays. At the end, we were very lucky to get a glimpse of a Bryde’s whale.
We were all fascinated about the geology that surrounded us. Huge shield volcanoes of Isabela Island can be seen nearby. We went out for a panga ride along this rich shoreline, which gave us multiple sightings: marine iguanas, brown noddy terns, pelicans, penguins and flightless cormorants. The highlight for many of us was to find one of the giants of the ocean: the ocean sunfish. It was very impressive to see this huge fish propelling itself underwater.
For our afternoon, we repositioned the National Geographic Islander to Fernandina Island. We headed out for a walk on a very young “pahoehoe” lava flow. This is a place where only pioneer species, such as mangroves and lava cactus, can survive. Our usual daily companions, the sea lions, were once again the stars of the afternoon. Late in the afternoon we returned to the ship eager for the evening’s typical Ecuadorian New Year festivities.
Expedition Leader Lynn suggested we wear something yellow and something red tonight. To start off the New Year in yellow gives you good luck. To start off the New Year in red gives you luck in romance. We had $100 and $50 bills in our pockets for good economic fortune during 2009, and small change also, for the weeping widow of the old year. She (actually it was Jimmy, our bartender, dressed and made-up as an old woman) came noisily crying among us as we finished a delicious buffet served on the Sky Deck for guests and crew members alike. Encouraged and led by Lynn, those of us who hoped to travel during the coming year ran around the ship with our suitcases.
There was dancing until just before midnight, and Lynn led the count down as we toasted with champagne. The sailors lit the three old year effigies they had made from paper maché. With them the old year burned away, and we will start afresh tomorrow.
We did not realize Ecuador had so many strange and amusing New Year’s Eve traditions, but we have enjoyed celebrating the end of 2008 in the magical Galápagos Islands!
Happy 2009, everyone!
