Isabela & Fernandina Islands

Golden sunrise began my day
As Freddie said Hello
King Neptune’s rites were royally observed
As the equator’s line we crossed
A panga ride to see the shore
Where many mola mola
Raised their fins in salute.

We slipped into the water
Though brisk against our skin
The grazing turtles greeted us
And chased away the cold
Turtle, turtles everywhere
On the bottom and all around
They let us join their day.

As golden sunshine gleamed
Before a cloud eclipsed the sun
The marine iguana gnawed and chewed
While clinging through the swells
Three penguins came darting by
To make a date upon the rock
Their dance too erotic for my taste
A shark distracted us.

I shivered with cold as I left the sea
And came to dine with Ecuador’s best
The proud chefs were introduced
Our feast was more than just a taste
The cameras flashed to save the time
As our palates relished suckling pig
And fish and fruit and salad
I’m hungry again.

Siesta, a book, a laugh or two
Then off on a hike in the hot sun
Where so many iguana
Cooled off under the mangrove
Black and white, and red.
We hid from the sun
And heard the mother sea lions
Give their calls to their young

Spitting iguanas salted our feet
As we crowded among them
Flightless cormorants spread their wings
As if they could fly
But needing to dry and prune themselves
Their blue eyes gleamed
Amid the barking of the sea lions.

Back to the Islander for a jump off the deck
Our company tried to fly.
The captain proved himself
By leaping upon our command
Then Freddie provided a cocktail or two
We watch the sun go down
With gold and pinks in the sky
We aimed for dinner.

Now sated we watched a film
That captured the day
Then looked at the sky
The heavens gave us pause to think
Upon the golden riches that
We here enjoy.