Southern Isabela Island
It is absolutely a culture shock to be using a computer at this moment when we have been engulfed in this incredible world of wilderness and wildlife for the last five days. The ship is underway to our next place to explore. There hasn’t been one disappointing thing for my family. What an incredible five days it’s been.
Today started a little later than planned because there was a thick cloud cover that had been producing some rain. The ship anchored shortly after breakfast, then we headed, by panga, for a wet landing on the shore of Urvino Bay. From there, one could choose a longer hike for the more adventurous or a shorter hike for the rest. Both groups of hikers enjoyed a swim at the beach after the hikes.
We chose the shorter hike and it started on a beach with a line of stop signs. Behind those signs were the very large indentations of the female sea turtles’ bodies after they had moved sand over their newly laid eggs to bury them.
The well-marked path was made up of thick sand that quickly gave way to harder but lightly sandy ground. The plants were short and prickly-looking and very green. After a short time, the plants became very lush looking bushes which looked like they came from the bottom of the ocean. This land had actually been part of the ocean until 1954, when there was a huge and quick uplift in this area. We found beach pebbles and seashells embedded in rock shortly into this hike. As we continued down the trail, we rounded a bend and then there was iguana #38 sunbathing in the middle of the path. It was red, yellow and brown in color and about 3 feet long. It slowly made its way off the path, headed for shade. We continued on through green, small trees and large bushes.
There were very tiny flowers, about the size of a pinky fingernail, which is the usual size of flowers in the Galápagos. Across the path, there was a bush with flowers on it about the size of the palm of my hand. These are the largest flowers in the Galápagos. Everywhere large carpenter bees were flying quickly from flower to flower. They are the only pollinating bugs on the islands. But they don’t sting. They keep telling us here that the wildlife, both on the land and in the sea, will not hurt us — including the bees.
The guides here are fantastic. The guide we had this morning kept all 11 kids engaged in the lessons being given, whether about the bones of a goat, a discussion of plants, points about an iguana, etc. On the beach the children were encouraged to find “treasures” and bring them to the guides to be identified. These “treasures” were then returned to nature. Not one child claimed to be bored or ask if we were “done yet” for the entire hike.
After swimming, we returned to the ship for lunch and had a siesta during our ride to Punta Morena. After the ship anchored, we awoke and took another panga ride in for a hike on the lava rock. Our guide took time to discuss things and include the children in the discussion. He helped the kids see the flamingos, and several other birds when the children’s vision was blocked. The children, as well as the adults, were amazed at the view of nothing but lava rock for a great distance. This was a harder walk because the lava rock had cracked and become loose, with crevices separating chunks of the lava rock. It sounded like broken pottery as it shifted under our feet. There was little wildlife until we came upon small ponds where the birds were hanging out. Later, we came upon a salt-water pond and saw a shark, flounder, and several other fish. Otherwise, this was a very desolate landscape.
Life aboard the ship has been quite an experience. The entire group of people has bonded. These children have many adults looking out for them at all times. When we were headed for the second hike, our son was about 4 people ahead of us as we were boarding the panga. I started to call him back, but it was busy in the area and it was hard for him to hear me. That was when I realized, he knew the people he was getting into the panga with, and he felt good enough to be with them that he wasn’t looking for me. Also, I knew if I didn’t make it onto the panga, someone would hold his hand at the destination and wait for me to arrive. I made it onto the same panga, but it was a very heart-warming feeling to know he would be OK if we were separated. We will miss that.
Tonight, before dinner, several of the children handed out handmade friendship bracelets to each and every passenger on the ship. They had spent all their free time making them today. As Destiny tied the friendship bracelet on my wrist, she asked me to make a wish and when the bracelet came off, my wish would come true. Wow. Not all of the children were part of the group making the bracelets, but every child and adult received one. It’s overwhelming to see these 11 kids get along so well and to see them work and play together. They have played many different card and board games and have taken the time to teach the ones that have never played those games before. There has been no fighting or harsh words, yet. They have cooperated and supported each other.
This is an experience my family will never forget, and will miss this when the trip is over. Until then, we’ll hold every moment and treasure it. RFV06
It is absolutely a culture shock to be using a computer at this moment when we have been engulfed in this incredible world of wilderness and wildlife for the last five days. The ship is underway to our next place to explore. There hasn’t been one disappointing thing for my family. What an incredible five days it’s been.
Today started a little later than planned because there was a thick cloud cover that had been producing some rain. The ship anchored shortly after breakfast, then we headed, by panga, for a wet landing on the shore of Urvino Bay. From there, one could choose a longer hike for the more adventurous or a shorter hike for the rest. Both groups of hikers enjoyed a swim at the beach after the hikes.
We chose the shorter hike and it started on a beach with a line of stop signs. Behind those signs were the very large indentations of the female sea turtles’ bodies after they had moved sand over their newly laid eggs to bury them.
The well-marked path was made up of thick sand that quickly gave way to harder but lightly sandy ground. The plants were short and prickly-looking and very green. After a short time, the plants became very lush looking bushes which looked like they came from the bottom of the ocean. This land had actually been part of the ocean until 1954, when there was a huge and quick uplift in this area. We found beach pebbles and seashells embedded in rock shortly into this hike. As we continued down the trail, we rounded a bend and then there was iguana #38 sunbathing in the middle of the path. It was red, yellow and brown in color and about 3 feet long. It slowly made its way off the path, headed for shade. We continued on through green, small trees and large bushes.
There were very tiny flowers, about the size of a pinky fingernail, which is the usual size of flowers in the Galápagos. Across the path, there was a bush with flowers on it about the size of the palm of my hand. These are the largest flowers in the Galápagos. Everywhere large carpenter bees were flying quickly from flower to flower. They are the only pollinating bugs on the islands. But they don’t sting. They keep telling us here that the wildlife, both on the land and in the sea, will not hurt us — including the bees.
The guides here are fantastic. The guide we had this morning kept all 11 kids engaged in the lessons being given, whether about the bones of a goat, a discussion of plants, points about an iguana, etc. On the beach the children were encouraged to find “treasures” and bring them to the guides to be identified. These “treasures” were then returned to nature. Not one child claimed to be bored or ask if we were “done yet” for the entire hike.
After swimming, we returned to the ship for lunch and had a siesta during our ride to Punta Morena. After the ship anchored, we awoke and took another panga ride in for a hike on the lava rock. Our guide took time to discuss things and include the children in the discussion. He helped the kids see the flamingos, and several other birds when the children’s vision was blocked. The children, as well as the adults, were amazed at the view of nothing but lava rock for a great distance. This was a harder walk because the lava rock had cracked and become loose, with crevices separating chunks of the lava rock. It sounded like broken pottery as it shifted under our feet. There was little wildlife until we came upon small ponds where the birds were hanging out. Later, we came upon a salt-water pond and saw a shark, flounder, and several other fish. Otherwise, this was a very desolate landscape.
Life aboard the ship has been quite an experience. The entire group of people has bonded. These children have many adults looking out for them at all times. When we were headed for the second hike, our son was about 4 people ahead of us as we were boarding the panga. I started to call him back, but it was busy in the area and it was hard for him to hear me. That was when I realized, he knew the people he was getting into the panga with, and he felt good enough to be with them that he wasn’t looking for me. Also, I knew if I didn’t make it onto the panga, someone would hold his hand at the destination and wait for me to arrive. I made it onto the same panga, but it was a very heart-warming feeling to know he would be OK if we were separated. We will miss that.
Tonight, before dinner, several of the children handed out handmade friendship bracelets to each and every passenger on the ship. They had spent all their free time making them today. As Destiny tied the friendship bracelet on my wrist, she asked me to make a wish and when the bracelet came off, my wish would come true. Wow. Not all of the children were part of the group making the bracelets, but every child and adult received one. It’s overwhelming to see these 11 kids get along so well and to see them work and play together. They have played many different card and board games and have taken the time to teach the ones that have never played those games before. There has been no fighting or harsh words, yet. They have cooperated and supported each other.
This is an experience my family will never forget, and will miss this when the trip is over. Until then, we’ll hold every moment and treasure it. RFV06
