Española Island
Early in the morning, before the sun even rose, we were already at Española Island, which in English is called “Hood Island.” The ship was anchored in Gardner Bay, at the most northeast flank of the island.
We were ready to begin the adventure and today we would be in the water kayaking and snorkeling at Gardner Bay. We were all excited and by six in the morning we had the group ready. It was cloudy and windy but that wasn’t going to stop us. We rode along the coast of the bay, and soon after we got in the water. There were sea lions escorting us making the ride more fun. The relaxation and peace we perceived is something a person hardly experiences elsewhere. It is beyond explanation how nature transmits to you all these high levels of good energy.
Not far from where National Geographic Islander anchored is Gardner islet, a fantastic deep water snorkeling area. And there we were ready to go. The place seemed to be a bit slow at the beginning of our aquatic adventure, but all of the sudden it seemed that all the magic of Galapagos happened to occur in a single location and we were there at the right time. With all the fish and sea lions playing like little kids in a playground the action seemed endless. There were more sea lions and more fish, and a pelican swimming by surprised us. Before we knew it our boat driver Horacio was calling us all. We were late and there was more on our agenda.
After our panga ride back to the ship we got changed and then disembarked at the beautiful white sand beach of Gardner Bay. It was a wet landing and it looked a bit rough, but that did not stop us from landing and experiencing all these sea lions and the beauty of the beach with the marine iguanas and the irreverent mockingbirds—what an experience and the day was not even over.
In the afternoon our plan took us to the other side of the island, Punta Suarez, the westernmost point of the island of Española. The activity of the birds here is hard to describe. After an easy dry landing we took and walk and it was just amazing to see how many birds and iguanas coexist in such harmony.
We walked and all the boobies and sea gulls and albatrosses were inspiring in this great atmosphere. The satisfaction was endless, by the time we reached the blowhole the happiness of our explorers was exceeding all expectations. Of course we know it is just a matter of time before the Galápagos Islands will once more impress us. What a great day!
