Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Arriving at the youngest islands make us understand how everything began on our archipelago. Early in the morning we went to our top deck to enjoy the amazing view of Roca Redonda. This formation is disappearing by the action of the waves. Today we see a rounded rock in the middle of the ocean, but a long time ago it was a huge volcano. Later we entered Bolivar channel, between Isabela and Fernandina Islands, where we were surrounded by shield volcanoes. Most of the volcanic activity happens in this area. The last eruption happened on Isabela Island, in 2005.
After crossing the Equator line we were ready for our Zodiac rides! We explored the shore of Isabela Island: fur seals, enormous marine iguanas, pelicans, and boobies were observing us as we passed close to their rocks. But we found some new species for us: penguins, flightless cormorants and the mysterious ocean sunfish. We came back with the sun ready for warming us during our snorkeling. Each one of us got the opportunity to swim with our own turtle. Some underwater explorers saw penguins fishing next to them; I got a flightless cormorant swimming just in front of my mask!
Crossing the Bolivar channel we arrived at Fernandina Island. What a place! The largest Sally Lightfoot crabs we have seen yet were welcoming us on the rocks. We were witness to an astounding marine iguana fight. We walked on a new lava field observing a colony of flightless cormorants. There is such a dramatic landscape but you can really feel the isolation of the islands in this part of the archipelago.
We had another remarkable day in paradise.
