It was our first full day on board, and we are very excited about discovering this place, so we started early with a fun kayaking excursion around Gardner Islet. There were many sea turtles in the water that kept us paddling on their direction, but once we tried to get closer they just disappeared! The calm conditions and the beautiful aquamarine color of the ocean transported us to the marine world of the Galapagos. Snorkeling was also incredible, with crystal clear waters, cardinal fish and different varieties of tropical fish of different families, which are constantly looking for prey in these rich, nutrient waters that are responsible for the productivity of the place.
Mocking birds, probably one of the most intelligent land birds on these islands, are very curious; they already know that we humans carry fresh water with us, so they come to greet us trying to get an easy drink!
A couple hundred sea lions, which looked like rocks from the distance, were lying on the beach, waiting for the sun to come out and warm them up so they could start getting into the water to cool down. Females nursing babies not only posed for pictures, but also got up close to look at us, pretending we were also part of their group.
The oldest and at the same time the southeastern-most formation of the chain, Hood or Española, is interesting because species here have had more time in isolation, and are a bit different than the ones from the other islands.
Punta Suarez and its colorful iguanas and lava lizards in the afternoon had us talking again about their willingness to make it in very harsh distant lands. Immature Waved Albatross babies where exercising their little wings, for they realize that it is about time for them to jump off the cliffs and become independent. Nazca boobies with babies, swallow-tail gulls, doves, hawks, finches… just everything was here today.
Knowing that for the animal species, tomorrow will just be another day, but we are certain that the walk this afternoon will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
