Espanola Island
What a wonderful day we all had today. Early in the morning, we anchored near our first visitor site on Española Island, the home of the waved albatross. Surrounded by a cooling mist, we had breakfast as our Expedition Leader, Cindy Manning, briefed us for our departure.
In this picture we can see how close to them we were, an adult albatross and a chick by its side. Following a South American ocean current, these seabirds come back every year to mate and rear their young, which make this site very special. However, it was not just the fauna that impresses us, but its geological features too; the world famous blow-hole, the cliff and its up-drafts, boulders and white sandy beaches are also on the menu.
As soon as we set foot on the jetty, every body is overwhelmed. In fact, after being surrounded by sea-lions, lava lizards, sally light foot crabs, mocking birds, marine iguanas and Galápagos hawks, one of our guests joyfully replies “that’s it, we’ve seen it all, lets go back, now” as her eyes and smile light up her glowing face. This was just 30 yards from the disembarkation area and is just the beginning!
After a “cool” walk (it was just getting hot when we were heading back on board) our ship repositions and our hotel staff has a surprise for us; a succulent typical Ecuadorian lunch has been served; flavors and colors prepared with selected exquisite tropical fruits and spices on our buffet.
After a well deserver siesta (for some of us), we get ready for our water activities, like glass button boat outings, snorkeling, kayaks, or just a towel on the beach to contemplate our surroundings. We are greeted by the sun rays projecting on Gardner’s beach, unveiling colors of all kinds: turquoise waters, white sand beach and black basalt lava rocks; a perfect place for sea lions and us.
As the sun set, we come back to the Polaris and share our experiences. Our staff feels most rewarded by hearing our young guests eagerly telling us about their day. Deep inside of us we know this is a memory they will cherish and might be a turning point in their lives, and we were also part of it.
Our expedition has just started; we can’t wait to hear what they have “absorbed” next.
What a wonderful day we all had today. Early in the morning, we anchored near our first visitor site on Española Island, the home of the waved albatross. Surrounded by a cooling mist, we had breakfast as our Expedition Leader, Cindy Manning, briefed us for our departure.
In this picture we can see how close to them we were, an adult albatross and a chick by its side. Following a South American ocean current, these seabirds come back every year to mate and rear their young, which make this site very special. However, it was not just the fauna that impresses us, but its geological features too; the world famous blow-hole, the cliff and its up-drafts, boulders and white sandy beaches are also on the menu.
As soon as we set foot on the jetty, every body is overwhelmed. In fact, after being surrounded by sea-lions, lava lizards, sally light foot crabs, mocking birds, marine iguanas and Galápagos hawks, one of our guests joyfully replies “that’s it, we’ve seen it all, lets go back, now” as her eyes and smile light up her glowing face. This was just 30 yards from the disembarkation area and is just the beginning!
After a “cool” walk (it was just getting hot when we were heading back on board) our ship repositions and our hotel staff has a surprise for us; a succulent typical Ecuadorian lunch has been served; flavors and colors prepared with selected exquisite tropical fruits and spices on our buffet.
After a well deserver siesta (for some of us), we get ready for our water activities, like glass button boat outings, snorkeling, kayaks, or just a towel on the beach to contemplate our surroundings. We are greeted by the sun rays projecting on Gardner’s beach, unveiling colors of all kinds: turquoise waters, white sand beach and black basalt lava rocks; a perfect place for sea lions and us.
As the sun set, we come back to the Polaris and share our experiences. Our staff feels most rewarded by hearing our young guests eagerly telling us about their day. Deep inside of us we know this is a memory they will cherish and might be a turning point in their lives, and we were also part of it.
Our expedition has just started; we can’t wait to hear what they have “absorbed” next.
