Today we visited Espanola Island, considered one of the oldest islands of the Galapagos archipelago, and a highlight of the week as it holds a large number of sea birds!
The sun rose at 05:45 and it was a great opportunity to start with an early kayak exploration before breakfast. Our guests enjoyed the great weather conditions during kayaking and it was the perfect way to start the day in this unique location!
After breakfast all of the guests of the National Geographic Islander got their snorkeling equipment and were all ready for the water activities. There were two choices, snorkeling off the white sandy beach or deep water snorkeling. This morning I was in charge of deep water snorkeling at Gardner Islet. Here we got to see large schools of Razor surgeonfish, Creoles, Sargent majors, sting rays, Pacific green sea turtles and playful Galapagos sea lions. When the sea lions are in the mood they are the best playmates and today the sea lions came very close, almost touching our faces and offering the most delightful experience. Afterwards we stopped at the ship, dropped our snorkeling gear, and went to the beach. Gardner Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches of the Galapagos. Its white powdery sand and the turquoise water are a delight and dozens of sea lions were resting while we strolled along the beach. Curious Espanola mocking birds were observed, one landed on the cap of our guest!
After an incredible Ecuadorian lunch with specialties from all over our country, the ship headed toward Punta Suarez where went on a fantastic hike. Good walking shoes, walking sticks and enough space on the memory card of the cameras and we went for an unforgettable outing.
What we saw today was just unbelievable. Female Galapagos sea lions were all around us with their pups while colourful marine iguanas basked in the sun. We also saw Espanola lava lizards, Espanola mocking birds, Galapagos hawks, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, red billed tropic birds, three species of Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, and waved albatrosses!
Only in the Galapagos can you get so close to the animals, even the birds won’t fly away. They ignore our presence and accept humans as part of nature, another being and not a predator, one who comes and goes and won’t hurt them.
Before returning back on board a female sea lion delivered her pup, a new born, the placenta and the blood were clearly seen, incredible! What a way to end our expedition day! This is just the first full day and we have already had so many amazing encounters. This remote archipelago has a lot to offer, every island is different and unique and the adventure continues tomorrow.
