I am still amazed by the beauty of the Galapagos. Sometimes I wake-up and I can’t believe my eyes. Today I marveled once more at the splendor of a world far away from reality—or maybe, this is the true “reality” that we should be looking to.
Right after sunrise I glanced through my window to enjoy the dark blue colors of a pristine ocean. I looked forward, and the exterior walls of Genovesa caldera announced the proximity to its hidden entrance.
Birds were flying into the island. Swallow tailed gulls heading back home, after a long night at sea, fishing. I saw a manta ray, graciously diving next to the ship. Mantas have been very abundant this week, I wonder why.
I went to the bridge to announce the entrance to the volcano. Genovesa is a collapsed island, an extinct volcano whose sunken caldera has been eroded by the sea on its southern end. We entered the bay easily, thanks to the expertise of our captain Pablo Garces, the aid of the several bridge instruments, and the range markers on the island.
The morning was spectacular, spent in the company of red-footed boobies, frigate birds, mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and vampire finches. The afternoon was just as incredible, with several groups going out for snorkeling excursions, to experience the underwater realm. Many decided to head to the beach to swim and relax, while a few guests explored the inside walls of the volcano by kayak.
After sunset we weighed anchor, and left Genovesa behind. Once again, most guests watched the maneuver, marveled by the expertise of our officers and by the hues of the late afternoon. Swallow-tailed gulls follow the National Geographic Endeavour II, this time heading out to the sea, traveling out to fish.
