Fernandina Island
“The Land of the Volcanoes,” this is the common name for the area that we are cruising today. The dramatic landscape of the westernmost part of the Galápagos Archipelago is adorned with seven shield-shaped volcanoes similar to the ones found in Hawaii. Galápagos and Hawaii have exactly the same geological formation, which allowed us today to compare both archipelagos extensively.
The Island of Fernandina was probably the highlight for both naturalists and guests. It was at its best! Sea lions were rolling their bodies on the shoreline, while iguanas were basking on the rocks. The incredible blue, clear sky was merging on the horizon with the deep blue color of the ocean. It was definitely something to remember for a long time.
The passage of time hasn’t changed probably much of the island’s landscape. “Pahohoe hoe” and “aa” lava flows were found along several sections of our walk, giving that degree of “pristineness” that can only be found on a place like Fernandina.
As I was walking along its trail, it was almost impossible not to think about how fortunate I am for working on a place like this. It is already ten years since I first set foot on these islands, and I can see more to come. It seems to me that you cannot have enough of these islands and they had certainly put and spell on me. Ten years ago a young graduate of marine biologist, informed his father that he wanted to go to Galápagos to get a job. Get a real one, he said. Ten years later my father has given up asking me to get a real job, but the most important thing is that he also understood that my passion for these island is what has given me peace and happiness.
The air temperature had dropped at least a couple of degrees and we have seen everything on land. It is time to go back to the ship. Over my shoulder, I could still see Fernandina full of life, young and vibrant. See you next Tuesday Fernandina, and I know she would wait for me as anxious as I would be waiting to go back, to my beloved Fernandina Island…
“The Land of the Volcanoes,” this is the common name for the area that we are cruising today. The dramatic landscape of the westernmost part of the Galápagos Archipelago is adorned with seven shield-shaped volcanoes similar to the ones found in Hawaii. Galápagos and Hawaii have exactly the same geological formation, which allowed us today to compare both archipelagos extensively.
The Island of Fernandina was probably the highlight for both naturalists and guests. It was at its best! Sea lions were rolling their bodies on the shoreline, while iguanas were basking on the rocks. The incredible blue, clear sky was merging on the horizon with the deep blue color of the ocean. It was definitely something to remember for a long time.
The passage of time hasn’t changed probably much of the island’s landscape. “Pahohoe hoe” and “aa” lava flows were found along several sections of our walk, giving that degree of “pristineness” that can only be found on a place like Fernandina.
As I was walking along its trail, it was almost impossible not to think about how fortunate I am for working on a place like this. It is already ten years since I first set foot on these islands, and I can see more to come. It seems to me that you cannot have enough of these islands and they had certainly put and spell on me. Ten years ago a young graduate of marine biologist, informed his father that he wanted to go to Galápagos to get a job. Get a real one, he said. Ten years later my father has given up asking me to get a real job, but the most important thing is that he also understood that my passion for these island is what has given me peace and happiness.
The air temperature had dropped at least a couple of degrees and we have seen everything on land. It is time to go back to the ship. Over my shoulder, I could still see Fernandina full of life, young and vibrant. See you next Tuesday Fernandina, and I know she would wait for me as anxious as I would be waiting to go back, to my beloved Fernandina Island…
