Today we set foot on the largest island in the Galapagos – Isabela Island.
Early in the morning we had vivid sunshine and calm seas as we approached Urbina Bay for a wet landing. This impressive site was underwater up to 1954 when magmatic pressure uplifted this site about 12 feet and now this is the home for land iguanas and sometimes giant tortoises. While we disembark on a black sandy beach, we noticed this place is also a nesting site for many green pacific turtles. We had a fun walk for about a mile where we saw many land iguanas, very active for the beginning of their breading season. Males and females were together exposing their bright colors.
Today we were also rewarded by our most impressive inspiration, the Galapagos giant tortoise. All of our guests were mesmerized by this site. Soon after our walk, we enjoyed a refreshing swim at the beach.
Back onboard and as we repositioned our vessel, naturalist Fernando Sanchez gave a presentation about Charles Darwin and the Galapagos.
Today our kitchen department presented their pride and joy, the typical Ecuadorian lunch. Spices, colors and tastes were highly appreciated by everyone.
We later arrived to our next visitor site, Tagus Cove. Here we opted for different water activities like snorkeling, kayaking and Zodiac rides. It was the last call for our two flightless birds, Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorant. Many turtles and fishes of all kinds were around us and as the sun set behind Fernandina we came back onboard for our evening recap, our fleet-wide tradition. Today we learned about how important numbers are for science using our tools of exploration. We also learned photography tips, information about plankton and got a briefing about tomorrow activities.
Dinner was served while we said goodbye to the western part of the archipelago and the National Geographic Endeavour traveled to our next island, Santiago.
Our guests have formed a bond with this place that brings magic to all of us, a place where coexistence and respect for one another is within our hearts and everywhere we look.
I wish you were here with us, my dear reader. No matter what you read or see, nothing will prepare you for this wonderful place call the “Enchanted Islands.”
