Espanola Island
Our last full day in paradise was really the jewel of the crown. Espanola (or Hood) Island showed us the best treasures of this exceptional laboratory of living evolution. This hidden corner of nature showed us hundreds of endemic species, friendly, unique and pristine.
The first morning outing was to kayak around the shores of Gardner Islet. Sea lions came along with us. One was rubbing its belly against our kayak; it was unbelievable!
Some of us went snorkeling around the same wonderful area. This was one of the most exciting snorkeling outings of the week, with lots and lots of playful baby sea lions along with us, playing all the time. This was the best of all!
Later, we enjoyed some very nice beach time at Gardner Bay, where we shared the white sandy beach with several hundred very friendly sea lions that were basking in the sun.
The best of the best was of course kept for the very end. Punta Suarez had lots and lots of Waved Albatrosses, some of them nesting, some others preening and dancing and courting. Blue footed boobies, Nazca boobies, the red marine iguanas and great lava lizards, among others, were the highlight of our last walk on paradise.
Our last full day in paradise was really the jewel of the crown. Espanola (or Hood) Island showed us the best treasures of this exceptional laboratory of living evolution. This hidden corner of nature showed us hundreds of endemic species, friendly, unique and pristine.
The first morning outing was to kayak around the shores of Gardner Islet. Sea lions came along with us. One was rubbing its belly against our kayak; it was unbelievable!
Some of us went snorkeling around the same wonderful area. This was one of the most exciting snorkeling outings of the week, with lots and lots of playful baby sea lions along with us, playing all the time. This was the best of all!
Later, we enjoyed some very nice beach time at Gardner Bay, where we shared the white sandy beach with several hundred very friendly sea lions that were basking in the sun.
The best of the best was of course kept for the very end. Punta Suarez had lots and lots of Waved Albatrosses, some of them nesting, some others preening and dancing and courting. Blue footed boobies, Nazca boobies, the red marine iguanas and great lava lizards, among others, were the highlight of our last walk on paradise.
