Southern Isabela Island
There is a kind of magic floating everywhere in this enchanted archipelago. Today we had a day to remember! Most of us will be talking about this day for years to come and for many, including me, it will be a fascinating anecdote to be shared with my little son and in the future, if I am still around, with his children. Just minutes after disembarking the short walkers from the ship and while anchored in the vicinities of Alcedo volcano at Urbina Bay we were surrounded by a large pod of bottlenose dolphins.
Immediately we headed to see them, for we did not want to miss this extraordinary event. It is for me at this moment not easy to explain in a short paragraph the depth of feelings that this wonderful sighting arose. Cheerful dolphins were observed very close to the Zodiacs. In fact we were so close that we could hear when the animals would blow! One dolphin was so close that I could feel not only the spray in my face but the smell as well – wow! We went out there for a long time. Extremely happy and still with our adrenaline levels maxed, we went ashore for a hike at Urbina Bay. This location is very famous, at the geological level, for the extraordinary uplifting that occurred here as recently as the early 50’s just last century. As a product of this event it is still possible to see remains of shells, barnacles and coral attached or melted on the black lava rocks, including some exposed large white coral heads that have become an icon of this famous place. Many colorful Galápagos land iguanas and even a giant tortoise was spotted along the trails and as well. We ended our morning hike with a quick refreshing swim at the landing beach.
By the time the long walkers were back at the beach, the dolphins were still around the bay. Immediately once again I sent the Zodiac fleet to pick these hikers up and give them the opportunity that the short walkers had earlier. It was a total success! Happiness and excitement was felt in the air for everyone came back praising this wonderful sighting. Naturalist Fausto Rodriguez came back equipped with one of our tools of exploration, our HD underwater video camera and filmed the dolphins underwater. At the moment I am writing this report I am still shaking of happiness and excitement for it has been one of the best dolphin sightings I have ever had in my life.
After lunch we disembarked on the very young black lava flows at Punta Moreno, located nearby the majestic Cerro Azul volcano. I cannot help but feel emotional every time I have a chance to walk in this endless lava field for it produces in me an inner sensation of a surreal communion with the wild and intrinsic beauty of Nature. Some guests opted to go on a Zodiac cruise exploring the surrounding mangrove ecosystems instead of the hike. This outing was very successful for we saw many sea turtles, Galápagos penguins and different species of rays.
Today while exploring the remote and pristine realms of Southern Isabela Island we were touched by the magic of the Galápagos Islands once again. Spectacular days like this are living examples of what an expedition should be, genuine excitement, learning with fun, living the unexpected and feeling love and appreciation for the natural habitats of our blue planet.
