Isabela and Fernandina Islands
Today is the third day of our Inaugural voyage. We are enjoying our stay on board of the very comfortable motor ship Islander. This morning we had the opportunity to cross the imaginary line called the Equator that divides our Earth into two hemispheres. We only spent a couple of hours in the northern hemisphere today, but we were hoping to spot either whales or dolphins or some other mysterious inhabitants of the deep blue ocean waters that surround the island of Isabela. The early risers were rewarded with a brief sighting of a Bryde’s whale. Lynn Fowler, our Expedition Leader, made a ship wide announcement and all our guests grabbed their binoculars and wind breakers and joined us on deck to watch and wait for the whale to come up again. The morning was perfect. The sun rose quickly from the horizon, the sea was quiet and calm, a cool breeze was blowing from the North as we approached this largest island. In the distance we observed the blue-dark profile of perfect shield volcanoes. They are presently silent giants but have, in other eras, been witness to the violent creation of this unique and wonderful that is the Galápagos Archipelago.
We anchor off the steep and majestic cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca, and board the Zodiacs for a ride along the shoreline. Each boat full of guests found interesting wild life and enjoyed the incredible volcanic scenery. Huge, fighting marine iguanas, endemic fur seals, flightless cormorants and mola mola, the ocean sunfish were some of the highlights of this outing.
After lunch we snorkel among sea turtles and penguins and then make a landing on one of the most pristine islands in the world, Fernandina. As soon you take the first step on its recent lava flows, you are astonished by the abundance of life here and although we have seen them before, the prehistoric creatures: iguanas, lava lizards and flightless cormorants. It seems as if time has stopped, a million years ago. The animals are totally fearless and appear to live in perfect harmony. I think nothing can be more gratifying than to come here to Galápagos and enjoy the magic and mystery of these islands.
Today is the third day of our Inaugural voyage. We are enjoying our stay on board of the very comfortable motor ship Islander. This morning we had the opportunity to cross the imaginary line called the Equator that divides our Earth into two hemispheres. We only spent a couple of hours in the northern hemisphere today, but we were hoping to spot either whales or dolphins or some other mysterious inhabitants of the deep blue ocean waters that surround the island of Isabela. The early risers were rewarded with a brief sighting of a Bryde’s whale. Lynn Fowler, our Expedition Leader, made a ship wide announcement and all our guests grabbed their binoculars and wind breakers and joined us on deck to watch and wait for the whale to come up again. The morning was perfect. The sun rose quickly from the horizon, the sea was quiet and calm, a cool breeze was blowing from the North as we approached this largest island. In the distance we observed the blue-dark profile of perfect shield volcanoes. They are presently silent giants but have, in other eras, been witness to the violent creation of this unique and wonderful that is the Galápagos Archipelago.
We anchor off the steep and majestic cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca, and board the Zodiacs for a ride along the shoreline. Each boat full of guests found interesting wild life and enjoyed the incredible volcanic scenery. Huge, fighting marine iguanas, endemic fur seals, flightless cormorants and mola mola, the ocean sunfish were some of the highlights of this outing.
After lunch we snorkel among sea turtles and penguins and then make a landing on one of the most pristine islands in the world, Fernandina. As soon you take the first step on its recent lava flows, you are astonished by the abundance of life here and although we have seen them before, the prehistoric creatures: iguanas, lava lizards and flightless cormorants. It seems as if time has stopped, a million years ago. The animals are totally fearless and appear to live in perfect harmony. I think nothing can be more gratifying than to come here to Galápagos and enjoy the magic and mystery of these islands.
