Española Island
This morning Ernesto led an early group of kayakers around the point of Gardner Bay and along the coast. They were dripped on by fine garua mist but were delighted to be escorted by sea lions as they enjoyed a swift paddle on this cool gray morning. After our buffet breakfast we loaded three Zodiacs with snorkelers for a final swim in the clear blue waters surrounding the off shore islet of Gardner. There were some schooling fish and a couple of enchanting sea lions who kept us company, but the highlight this morning were two large diamond sting rays.
We made a wet landing on the lovely fine white sands of Gardner Beach and thoroughly enjoyed our chance to roam among the resting, nursing, sea lions. The kids dug in the sand and splashed in the surf and everyone agreed that beaches as lovely as this one are usually packed with hotels instead of sea lions! A second kayak outing, this time on an azure ocean and under a warm sun, departed from the ship with Daniel. We swam and walked on the beach and were all reluctant to leave this paradise at noon.
In the afternoon we landed on a small concrete dock at Punta Suarez for a final visit and walk of this week’s expedition to Galápagos. For some, this was the best outing of the entire trip! Española Island was at its best this afternoon: we disembarked among sea lions and reddish iguanas, hiked through colonies of blue-footed and Nazca boobies, watched red billed tropic birds, frigates and albatross soaring overhead and finches hopping among the drying vegetation, admired the blow hole spraying water over 50 feet into the air and eventually reached the nesting grounds of the endemic waved albatross.
What really made our day however, was spotting the very first albatross chick of the year! He/she may already be a week or so old, and he/she was so well hidden by his parent that some of the group who passed by did not see him. But here is a photo of this first cute fluffy gray chick – we will be watching as the months go by to see how he/she grows.
As the sun set and the afternoon came to an end, we rock-hopped back to the landing dock, boarded the Zodiacs and wistfully returned to the National Geographic Islander. This week’s expedition has been fabulous: near perfect weather, excellent sightings and a cheerful and friendly group of guests with whom to share experiences. The trip has come to an end but Galápagos will forever remain in our hearts and memories.
This morning Ernesto led an early group of kayakers around the point of Gardner Bay and along the coast. They were dripped on by fine garua mist but were delighted to be escorted by sea lions as they enjoyed a swift paddle on this cool gray morning. After our buffet breakfast we loaded three Zodiacs with snorkelers for a final swim in the clear blue waters surrounding the off shore islet of Gardner. There were some schooling fish and a couple of enchanting sea lions who kept us company, but the highlight this morning were two large diamond sting rays.
We made a wet landing on the lovely fine white sands of Gardner Beach and thoroughly enjoyed our chance to roam among the resting, nursing, sea lions. The kids dug in the sand and splashed in the surf and everyone agreed that beaches as lovely as this one are usually packed with hotels instead of sea lions! A second kayak outing, this time on an azure ocean and under a warm sun, departed from the ship with Daniel. We swam and walked on the beach and were all reluctant to leave this paradise at noon.
In the afternoon we landed on a small concrete dock at Punta Suarez for a final visit and walk of this week’s expedition to Galápagos. For some, this was the best outing of the entire trip! Española Island was at its best this afternoon: we disembarked among sea lions and reddish iguanas, hiked through colonies of blue-footed and Nazca boobies, watched red billed tropic birds, frigates and albatross soaring overhead and finches hopping among the drying vegetation, admired the blow hole spraying water over 50 feet into the air and eventually reached the nesting grounds of the endemic waved albatross.
What really made our day however, was spotting the very first albatross chick of the year! He/she may already be a week or so old, and he/she was so well hidden by his parent that some of the group who passed by did not see him. But here is a photo of this first cute fluffy gray chick – we will be watching as the months go by to see how he/she grows.
As the sun set and the afternoon came to an end, we rock-hopped back to the landing dock, boarded the Zodiacs and wistfully returned to the National Geographic Islander. This week’s expedition has been fabulous: near perfect weather, excellent sightings and a cheerful and friendly group of guests with whom to share experiences. The trip has come to an end but Galápagos will forever remain in our hearts and memories.
