Isabela & Fernandina Islands
What a wonderful day we had!
Early in the morning we woke up on the western part of this archipelago, our destinations Roca Redonda and Isabela Island in the morning and in the afternoon Fernandina Island. Some of our guests that chose to take the optional pre-breakfast call were able to observe an impressive isolated volcanic feature: possibly a “plug” for what used to be an ostentatious volcano, today we call it Roca Redonda. Our Expedition Leader, Emma Ridley, gave an impressive talk about this spectacular place and its surroundings. Soon after, as we were having breakfast, our officers spotted a large school of common dolphins: what a great way to start our expedition – this is what it means to be on “a journey of discovery”!
All of this can not pass unnoticed by the king of the oceans, Neptunus Rex, who took over the ship and baptized our trespassers of the equator. We had to sacrifice the children by having them drink “iguana blood”, by kissing his majesty’s pet, an octopus, or his flipper, and of course cold Pacific water was poured and names were given; and so we were allowed to cross back into the southern hemisphere.
We arrive at the northwestern tip of Isabela, which offered us the greatest panga ride we could have in the Galápagos: penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, diving blue-footed boobie. All revealed in front of our eyes as we approached the majestic cliffs of Ecuador Volcano. That was not all we saw of the marine environment: while in the comfort of our "aqua limousine" we saw, through the crystal clear waters, dozens of green pacific sea turtles and that most impressive fish, the Mola mola, or ocean sun fish: an enigmatic sea creature that has escaped our understanding for ages, a master of the abyss, right in front of our eyes. Then we rushed for a breathtaking snorkel.
While lunching, Polaris repositions to our next destination: Fernandina Island. This is the land of recent lava flows that are displayed as poetry under our feet, and suddenly we are astounded by hundreds of marine iguanas completely blended in with the immobile background. It was also an opportunity to see the nesting sites of the flightless cormorants and outstanding sally light foot crabs.
We all came back impressed by this day; it does not matter which island you are on, it will be impressive and different every time, that is a fact!
My dear reader, you just have to be here to experience it. These words are feeble to describe what this magical island can bring to your hearts, wish you were here.
We are heading to our next site and giant tortoises are our next highlight. We are all excited about our upcoming adventures.
What a wonderful day we had!
Early in the morning we woke up on the western part of this archipelago, our destinations Roca Redonda and Isabela Island in the morning and in the afternoon Fernandina Island. Some of our guests that chose to take the optional pre-breakfast call were able to observe an impressive isolated volcanic feature: possibly a “plug” for what used to be an ostentatious volcano, today we call it Roca Redonda. Our Expedition Leader, Emma Ridley, gave an impressive talk about this spectacular place and its surroundings. Soon after, as we were having breakfast, our officers spotted a large school of common dolphins: what a great way to start our expedition – this is what it means to be on “a journey of discovery”!
All of this can not pass unnoticed by the king of the oceans, Neptunus Rex, who took over the ship and baptized our trespassers of the equator. We had to sacrifice the children by having them drink “iguana blood”, by kissing his majesty’s pet, an octopus, or his flipper, and of course cold Pacific water was poured and names were given; and so we were allowed to cross back into the southern hemisphere.
We arrive at the northwestern tip of Isabela, which offered us the greatest panga ride we could have in the Galápagos: penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, diving blue-footed boobie. All revealed in front of our eyes as we approached the majestic cliffs of Ecuador Volcano. That was not all we saw of the marine environment: while in the comfort of our "aqua limousine" we saw, through the crystal clear waters, dozens of green pacific sea turtles and that most impressive fish, the Mola mola, or ocean sun fish: an enigmatic sea creature that has escaped our understanding for ages, a master of the abyss, right in front of our eyes. Then we rushed for a breathtaking snorkel.
While lunching, Polaris repositions to our next destination: Fernandina Island. This is the land of recent lava flows that are displayed as poetry under our feet, and suddenly we are astounded by hundreds of marine iguanas completely blended in with the immobile background. It was also an opportunity to see the nesting sites of the flightless cormorants and outstanding sally light foot crabs.
We all came back impressed by this day; it does not matter which island you are on, it will be impressive and different every time, that is a fact!
My dear reader, you just have to be here to experience it. These words are feeble to describe what this magical island can bring to your hearts, wish you were here.
We are heading to our next site and giant tortoises are our next highlight. We are all excited about our upcoming adventures.
