Southern Isabela Island
Our morning walk at Urbina Bay on the slopes of Alcedo volcano was definitely a big challenge for a lot of us. A very nice hike that, after a couple of rocky ups and downs, takes you to the inner part if the island through the thicket, surrounded by wonderful and lush vegetation.
Urbina Bay is the most spectacular uplifted area around the Galápagos Archipelago the geologic event happened back in 1954. Pointy rocks of fifteen to eighteen feet high stick in to the air full of barnacles, clams and other sea shells which were once under the sea. Large white coral heads out on the trail make this hike something very special and unique. Lots of fabulous land iguanas, and even a giant land tortoise accompanied us on this long but pleasant walk.
Once we ended back at the beach we wet landed, we all swam and enjoyed the delicious sea water. Lindblad wellness specialist also disembarked to the beach to welcome us after the walk and shared with all of us some relaxing stretching exercises.
While we experienced a very nice and well deserved siesta, the National Geographc Islander anchored at Punta Moreno; we dry landed on a rather uninviting and barren young lava flow. At this site, beautiful oases have been formed because of the collapse of the warm lava at the time when this area was active (it is not any more); a sedimentary layer of very rich mud together with the salt water that filters through from the ocean into these depressions formed these unique habitats. We have a whole array of lagoon birds that have settled down and live in these oases: moorhens, common gallinules, common stilts, white cheeked pintail ducks and the spectacular Galápagos pink flamingoes are seen here.
The broken lava flows gave us the sensation of walking on the dessert, Candelabra cactus, Darwimnothamus sp., Scalecias sp. and other pioneer plants were good examples of adaptations to these harsh environments.
To seal this day in the most fabulous way, Volcan Cerro Azul offered us a magnificent show. At ten thirty at night, while the National Geographic Islander was sailing around Isabela Island, two crew members who were on watch announced to the expedition leader, captain and staff a volcanic activity that was going on inside the caldera of Cerro Azul volcano. A very kind announcement was made by the Expedition Leader through the speakers inviting all our guests to come to the outer decks and join us in this unique show. It was definitely a really inimitable way to end today’s expedition.
Our morning walk at Urbina Bay on the slopes of Alcedo volcano was definitely a big challenge for a lot of us. A very nice hike that, after a couple of rocky ups and downs, takes you to the inner part if the island through the thicket, surrounded by wonderful and lush vegetation.
Urbina Bay is the most spectacular uplifted area around the Galápagos Archipelago the geologic event happened back in 1954. Pointy rocks of fifteen to eighteen feet high stick in to the air full of barnacles, clams and other sea shells which were once under the sea. Large white coral heads out on the trail make this hike something very special and unique. Lots of fabulous land iguanas, and even a giant land tortoise accompanied us on this long but pleasant walk.
Once we ended back at the beach we wet landed, we all swam and enjoyed the delicious sea water. Lindblad wellness specialist also disembarked to the beach to welcome us after the walk and shared with all of us some relaxing stretching exercises.
While we experienced a very nice and well deserved siesta, the National Geographc Islander anchored at Punta Moreno; we dry landed on a rather uninviting and barren young lava flow. At this site, beautiful oases have been formed because of the collapse of the warm lava at the time when this area was active (it is not any more); a sedimentary layer of very rich mud together with the salt water that filters through from the ocean into these depressions formed these unique habitats. We have a whole array of lagoon birds that have settled down and live in these oases: moorhens, common gallinules, common stilts, white cheeked pintail ducks and the spectacular Galápagos pink flamingoes are seen here.
The broken lava flows gave us the sensation of walking on the dessert, Candelabra cactus, Darwimnothamus sp., Scalecias sp. and other pioneer plants were good examples of adaptations to these harsh environments.
To seal this day in the most fabulous way, Volcan Cerro Azul offered us a magnificent show. At ten thirty at night, while the National Geographic Islander was sailing around Isabela Island, two crew members who were on watch announced to the expedition leader, captain and staff a volcanic activity that was going on inside the caldera of Cerro Azul volcano. A very kind announcement was made by the Expedition Leader through the speakers inviting all our guests to come to the outer decks and join us in this unique show. It was definitely a really inimitable way to end today’s expedition.
