May 1. Another early start. At 6:45 we’re in the water snorkeling with penguins. The penguins feed in the morning, hence, swimming with them requires an early start. Our swim took us around the ship looking for penguins under the ship. I wasn’t lucky enough to catch a photo of the penguins.
Breakfast was served at 8:15. At 9:15 we were back in the pangas for a short ride to Tagus Cove on Isla Isabela for a dry landing. From there we take a short hike up the mountainside to a view of Darwin Lake.
It’s always a delight to return to the ship where we’re handed cool washcloths and refreshing juice after hiking in the sun. If we’ve been in the water, it’s a hot shower on the deck and hot chocolate. We don’t dally around much though.
At 10:00 we’re back in the pangas exploring the coast, watching iguanas, penguins, blue footed boobies and poking into sea caves.
At noon we are back in the water snorkeling with marine iguanas and turtles.
Back onboard, lunch is a delicious soup, coleslaw, lasagna, grilled octopus and avocado salad. Hot soup hits the spot after being in the water.
3:00 we’re on another panga ride. This time we land on Isla Fernandina near Espinosa Point, where we walk among the iguanas, sea lions and some unusual lava cactus.
We’re back onboard at 5:30 with a briefing at 6:40 and dinner at 7:00. After dinner we’re underway heading towards the north end of Isla Isabela. At 8:08 PM we cross the equator. A number of us assembled in the pilot house to watch the GPS count down to zero degrees of latitude. More photos of the day’s adventures are available in an online gallery.
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