Genovesa Island, also known as Tower Island, is home to over one million seabirds. Our highlights were diverse, from gulls and Nazca, red, and blue-footed boobies to owls, fur seals, hammerhead sharks, turtles, and manta rays.
Our adventure began with a walk that started at the famous Prince Philip’s Steps, where Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and frigatebirds surrounded us. Today was a red-footed booby day. Eager bachelors, frigatebirds with weighted red gular pouches waited to be selected by females. Chicks were everywhere, and Nazca boobies were starting their mating season.
Back onboard, we prepared for our last snorkeling outing to search the undersea realm. Today we had close encounters with many fish and hammerhead sharks. It was impressive to see them up close, and of course, it brought excitement and admiration. Some guests opted for an early kayak outing instead.
After this great adventure, we came back to our ship, anchored inside Genovesa’s caldera. We received a briefing about our departure and enjoyed our last delicious lunch, thanks to our culinary staff.
We were then ready to start our next adventure, which was a wet landing on a white coralline beach inside Darwin Bay. The beach was named by a celebrity visitor, William Beebe, in honor of Charles Darwin, the great naturalist who redirected human thought. At high tide, we walked over a platform, surrounded by birds of all kinds and their chicks. We observed the birds’ behaviors and colors. We were moved to see so many active seabirds. The parents took care of the juveniles, hoping one day they can fend for themselves. We were also happy to see gulls mating.
This walk was like being transported back in time. Birds flew all over, like in prehistoric times, and lava formations resembled the first foundation of Earth. Later, it was time to return to the ship and reminisce about our many experiences during this wonderful week. As we look back and gaze at the islands for the last time, this place seems timeless to us. It is now deep within our hearts. Our experience on these special islands has been unforgettable; the wildlife has no fear, which allows us to realize that we are not so different.
“We must not acknowledge the methodical saying ‘don’t humanize the animals’ but instead ‘animalize the human’ by perceiving our surrounding with all our senses; embracing nature by coexistence and respect for one another, so we can become one with nature as we once were.” -Celso Montalvo.
We have all bonded like a family, united by an invisible mysticism. At the end of our journey, we hope to stay in touch. We know that the experience our guests had this week will stay with them for a lifetime.
Adios amigos.
