Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Today was a beautiful day with just a few clouds spread on a spectacular blue sky. We felt the fresh breeze and the pure air on our faces. We approached dark blue ocean waters to circumnavigate Roca Redonda, home to thousands of sea birds. The island is actually the remains of a huge underwater volcano with only its tip visible. Later, as we headed down toward Punta Vicente Roca, we spotted a school of bottlenosed dolphins that were playing in front of the ship.
Today we crossed the equator line for first time very early in the day, and later in the morning we did so once again. During the second crossing our guests were baptized as shellbacks, and everyone received their official certificate.
At about 9:40, we started the day's exploration with a Zodiac cruise. We were surprised by the ocean sunfish, better known by its Latin name Mola mola, swimming alongside the Zodiac. The two species of flightless birds endemic to the Galápagos Islands, the flightless cormorant and the Galapagos penguin, are principally found here on the westernmost side of the archipelago. The scenery at this location is remarkable, and it was such an astonishing sight to swim with a green sea turtle, along with many tropical fish.
Later in the afternoon we repositioned the ship next to Fernandina Island. It is the most pristine island in the Galápagos because no alien species have been introduced here. It is also one of the places where the largest marine iguanas live. We were fascinated with these unbelievable creatures that had colonized these inhospitable volcanic islands thousands years ago. I cannot imagine what the impression was of Fray Tomás de Berlanga who discovered the island in 1535; even now our visitors are constantly impressed by this group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Today was a beautiful day with just a few clouds spread on a spectacular blue sky. We felt the fresh breeze and the pure air on our faces. We approached dark blue ocean waters to circumnavigate Roca Redonda, home to thousands of sea birds. The island is actually the remains of a huge underwater volcano with only its tip visible. Later, as we headed down toward Punta Vicente Roca, we spotted a school of bottlenosed dolphins that were playing in front of the ship.
Today we crossed the equator line for first time very early in the day, and later in the morning we did so once again. During the second crossing our guests were baptized as shellbacks, and everyone received their official certificate.
At about 9:40, we started the day's exploration with a Zodiac cruise. We were surprised by the ocean sunfish, better known by its Latin name Mola mola, swimming alongside the Zodiac. The two species of flightless birds endemic to the Galápagos Islands, the flightless cormorant and the Galapagos penguin, are principally found here on the westernmost side of the archipelago. The scenery at this location is remarkable, and it was such an astonishing sight to swim with a green sea turtle, along with many tropical fish.
Later in the afternoon we repositioned the ship next to Fernandina Island. It is the most pristine island in the Galápagos because no alien species have been introduced here. It is also one of the places where the largest marine iguanas live. We were fascinated with these unbelievable creatures that had colonized these inhospitable volcanic islands thousands years ago. I cannot imagine what the impression was of Fray Tomás de Berlanga who discovered the island in 1535; even now our visitors are constantly impressed by this group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
