Española Island
Today is our first full day in this wonderful paradise called the Galápagos Islands, located six hundred nautical miles west of the South American mainland. This archipelago, known for its giant tortoises, belongs to the little Republic of Ecuador.
Our first outing took place in the westernmost site of the island Punta Suarez, where we had the opportunity to enjoy the wildlife of this magical place. The welcome committee was composed of sally light foot crabs, sea lion pups, and marine iguanas, which are beginning their mating season. The males are becoming good-looking, wearing green and red coloration to catch the attention of the females. Lava lizards were there also, and lots of sea birds such as Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, yellow warblers, and the endemic Hood mocking bird. Throughout the excursion we were charmed by the waved albatross, the largest bird species that breeds in these islands; it has a wingspan of 2.35 meters and a wavy barring pattern on the body feathers, hence its name. Further along, a couple of Galápagos hawks were looking expectantly from their lofty perch on the rocks above.
At noon as the ship was navigating to the next destination, we enjoyed a delicious Ecuadorian lunch with many dishes from the three regions of Ecuador. After a siesta, we started sending guests off for trips on the glass bottom boat, then deep water snorkelers and finally beach goers. Everybody was fascinated with the very rich marine ecosystem that we have surrounding the islands, and at the beach the kids had lots of fun playing with the baby sea lions while mocking birds provided an examination of each bag sitting on the sand as the bag owners swam in the beautiful turquoise waters nearby. The kayakers had a good workout as well, all while viewing the spectacular scenery along the coast.
In the evening we all had a delicious dinner, helping to recover some of the energy lost during the day’s many activities. Another beautiful day in the islands has come to an end.
Today is our first full day in this wonderful paradise called the Galápagos Islands, located six hundred nautical miles west of the South American mainland. This archipelago, known for its giant tortoises, belongs to the little Republic of Ecuador.
Our first outing took place in the westernmost site of the island Punta Suarez, where we had the opportunity to enjoy the wildlife of this magical place. The welcome committee was composed of sally light foot crabs, sea lion pups, and marine iguanas, which are beginning their mating season. The males are becoming good-looking, wearing green and red coloration to catch the attention of the females. Lava lizards were there also, and lots of sea birds such as Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, yellow warblers, and the endemic Hood mocking bird. Throughout the excursion we were charmed by the waved albatross, the largest bird species that breeds in these islands; it has a wingspan of 2.35 meters and a wavy barring pattern on the body feathers, hence its name. Further along, a couple of Galápagos hawks were looking expectantly from their lofty perch on the rocks above.
At noon as the ship was navigating to the next destination, we enjoyed a delicious Ecuadorian lunch with many dishes from the three regions of Ecuador. After a siesta, we started sending guests off for trips on the glass bottom boat, then deep water snorkelers and finally beach goers. Everybody was fascinated with the very rich marine ecosystem that we have surrounding the islands, and at the beach the kids had lots of fun playing with the baby sea lions while mocking birds provided an examination of each bag sitting on the sand as the bag owners swam in the beautiful turquoise waters nearby. The kayakers had a good workout as well, all while viewing the spectacular scenery along the coast.
In the evening we all had a delicious dinner, helping to recover some of the energy lost during the day’s many activities. Another beautiful day in the islands has come to an end.
