After a great buffet breakfast on the ship we get sized for snorkeling gear and wet suits. Nothing is left to the imagination in a wet suit (you’ll note no pictures!). We tour part of Isabela Island by panga, then get ready to snorkel. I haven’t snorkeled since 1991 in Hawaii and it wasn’t that successful then. We are snorkeling from the panga boats – basically from the boat into the water. Wow, the water is freezing. I make it all of 30 seconds and I bail back to the panga.. Dick manages for a lot longer – good for him. My snorkeling days are over. Back on the La Pinta they have hot chocolate waiting for us as we get out of the wet suits. We have a drink and get ready for lunch. I’m guessing that we will not go hungry on this trip.
After lunch we dock off of Fernandina Island. Today’s hike involves a ‘wet landing’, yes you are going to get your feet wet. If you are interested in marine Iguana’s – today is your lucky day. You cannot take a step without almost stepping on several. They are quite large and travel in packs. They regulate their body heat is by laying on the hot rocks or then cooling off in the water. Also, we see lots of sea lions (they are just too cute) and crabs. The sea lions (especially the juveniles) are very curious and will come right up to you to check you out. None of the animals or birds have any fear of humans – an incredible experience.
While we are out our crew tidies the cabin and leaves us a towel sculpture, todays’ is a shark – somehow wearing my sunglasses.
M
After a long overnight cruise we arrive at Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island. The seahorse-shaped Isabela is the largest of all the islands in the Galapagos archipelago. It was formed by the merger of 6 volcanoes, 5 of which are still active. It is one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
We visited Isabela’s ‘Punta Vicente Roca’ marine site by panga as no landings are allowed at the site. The geology is dramatic with lava flows, marine caves and tuff stone layers. Green sea turtles, marine iguanas and crab abound along with innumerable boobies.
After lunch and a short break some of the group ‘deep water snorkel’ which means jump off the panga into the ocean. I haven’t snorkeled for a while and it took a while to get the process down. Unfortunately, I missed some of the sightings which included penguins and green sea turtles.
In the afternoon La Pinta moved on to Fernando, the youngest of the islands (750,000 years old). On a very cool hike we spotted hawk, cormorant, sea lions, remains of whale, and a few million marine iguanas! Naturalist Paul again.
D.
