Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Today we woke up at Albermarle point which is on the northwest side of Isabela. As the National Geographic Islander was cruising towards Punta Vicente Roca, we encountered two pods of common dolphins which were feeding. We also saw Galápagos shearwaters, fur seals and Galápagos petrels. This was followed with a very nice breakfast and then we all headed to the bridge to witness the crossing of the equator. People crossed the line and became officially Shellbacks.
After this we anchored at Punta Vicente Roca where we had the opportunity to go on a dinghy ride along the coast of Ecuador volcano and had the opportunity to see Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, large marine iguanas, Nazca and blue footed boobies, and the spectacular geology of the place and returned on board. Soon after this we went snorkeling and we all had a whale of a time because we swam with penguins, sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, octopus, sea lions and more.
People really felt happy and commented about how lucky they are to be here and be able to see with their own eyes the beauty of a living paradise. What a privilege!!!
Once we were back on board, the Captain weighed anchor and motored towards Punta Espinoza on Fernandina across the Bolivar Channel. At three o’clock we went ashore and again we had a marvelous afternoon by setting foot on the most pristine island on earth. Everything that lives here is native and hopefully will remain that way. The tide was low, so therefore its coastal line becomes spectacular because it’s exposed. A variety of wildlife such as Sally Lightfoot crabs, piles of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, a couple of penguins, lava cactus, lava lizards and of course the always playful sea lions. It’s a privilege to walk on very young lava fields which have been spewed out by the volcano and still remain fresh.
We made our way back to the ship and Ernesto one of our naturalists gave us a recap about the under water fauna and it was very good. What a day and I hope tomorrow we will manage to top it.
