Isabela & Fernandina Islands
The skies were absolutely gorgeous this morning, the seas were calm, and Roca Redonda, our early morning site, looked impressive and colourful, painted by the reds of cinders, blacks of lava and white of guano from the hundreds of sea birds that use it as a nesting place.
After crossing the equator line we had a close encounter with Ocean sunfish, an odd but amazing fish that loves the deep waters west of Isabela. Together with the Mola mola (scientific name for the ocean sun fish) we saw marine iguanas, fur sea lions, fishing penguins, brown-noddy terns and fantastic geologic formations, such as caves of tuff and lava flows.
Fernandina shone in beauty. Our afternoon island was at its best. The sun was bright, but the ocean breeze kept us cool and amazed by the uniqueness of this place. The summit of the volcano was completely uncovered and flightless cormorants, penguins and the largest marine iguanas became our delight.
Today we also had the opportunity to celebrate the great big family we have on board. The occasion was the birthday of one of our staff members; this gave us the occasion to sit at the same table and share laughs and thoughts. Many have been working together since the National Geographic Polaris came to these waters (10 years ago), and what can be a better thing than to celebrate a birthday with your beloved family at sea.
The skies were absolutely gorgeous this morning, the seas were calm, and Roca Redonda, our early morning site, looked impressive and colourful, painted by the reds of cinders, blacks of lava and white of guano from the hundreds of sea birds that use it as a nesting place.
After crossing the equator line we had a close encounter with Ocean sunfish, an odd but amazing fish that loves the deep waters west of Isabela. Together with the Mola mola (scientific name for the ocean sun fish) we saw marine iguanas, fur sea lions, fishing penguins, brown-noddy terns and fantastic geologic formations, such as caves of tuff and lava flows.
Fernandina shone in beauty. Our afternoon island was at its best. The sun was bright, but the ocean breeze kept us cool and amazed by the uniqueness of this place. The summit of the volcano was completely uncovered and flightless cormorants, penguins and the largest marine iguanas became our delight.
Today we also had the opportunity to celebrate the great big family we have on board. The occasion was the birthday of one of our staff members; this gave us the occasion to sit at the same table and share laughs and thoughts. Many have been working together since the National Geographic Polaris came to these waters (10 years ago), and what can be a better thing than to celebrate a birthday with your beloved family at sea.
