2geonomads

4th May

Isabela Island/ Urbina Bay

We seem to have left our previous night’s mooring at Espinosa Point between 3 and 4 am to make the relatively short trip to Urbina Bay.

We make a slightly earlier start than usual to be ahead of our sister ship Tip Top  3 ( on the panga by 7.45 ). Times in this area have to be allotted fairly rigidly as a considerable number of groups are visiting the bay.

After a short panga trip we make a non-too-easy landing on a steep coral beach with a sizeable swell making life rather difficult. It’s on these occasions that it’s good to have a couple of very capable Tip Top crew members in Andreas and David to bring us into shore.

Once ashore we follow a short trail to a coral reef which experienced a  4 metre uplift from the sea in 1954. For the first time we enjoy sightings of the tawny- coloured land iguana which is considerably larger than its marine relative and some land turtles.

As fas as the bird life is concerned a Galápagos hawk makes an appearance as do finches, mocking birds and the beautiful yellow warblers.

We return to the beach across an area which marks the border of the old beach pre-1954.

We have a short break back on board Tip Top before some of the group (yours truly included) swim/snorkel off the boat. For me the exercise is all about getting my confidence back after the earlier snorkelling forays. Mission accomplished!

Tip Top now proceeds to Elizabeth Bay ( as if her majesty doesn’t have enough places named after her)

After lunch we have a very welcome break until 3.00 pm when we set off on the pangas for a tour of the nearby mangrove swamps. This proves to be an absolute delight as we come across numerous speckled stingrays, turtles and sea lions which somehow have managed to climb up into the mangrove branches and roots. With the engine of the panga turned off and only a paddle used by David one could not ask for a more tranquil scene as we explore these pristine waters.

Dinner is brought forward as Tip Top meets rougher seas as we leave Elizabeth Bay bound for Puerto Villamil on the south coast of Isabela Island.

Happy to be tucked up in bed by 9 as we have a 6.00 am breakfast call for the next day.

Cheers

The Obese Ferret