Today we set a southward course to the oldest islands in the Galapagos. Española Island was once located right next to a geological hot spot, the source of magma for all of our volcanoes, but over the course of four million years it has been carried to the southeast. Many different species arrived on this island, evolving into indigenous birds, plants and other species found nowhere else in the world.
In the morning right after breakfast we visited Gardner Bay for some water activities. Some guests relaxed on the beach, where the white sand never gets hot and crystal clear waters lap the shore. Other guests went deep water snorkeling around Gardner Islet, searching for caves and baby sea lions. We were welcomed by more than 30 pups that just wanted to play.
Later we returned to the ship and enjoyed lunch and a well-deserved siesta in the Ecuadorian style.
Soon after, the National Geographic Endeavour moved to our second destination and visitor site of the day, Punta Suarez. This place can make you feel like you are in a virgin landscape, where the animals have never seen a human being before. Here we found one of the biggest colonies of Nazca boobies and waved albatrosses in the archipelago. In addition the tireless sea lions and colorful marine iguanas conquered the hearts of everyone and helped plant the seed of ecological conservation in the minds of visitors.
It was only the second day of our voyage and we couldn’t wait to see what comes next.
