Galapagos Day 5

We are still progressing around the western side of Isabella Island, this morning we stopped at Urbina Bay, where we were once again taken ashore in the pangas.  The landing was another wet one, but in this case, as the shore slopped significantly we all had to be quick and nimble to avoid accidental dunking in the shore break.  

It was hot, very hot in fact and, as I was typing this, safely back on the boat 2 hours later, my camera, lens and monopod were still all radiating heat. 

We had hoped for some close ups of marine iguanas, but were to be disappointed - we did get some but not terribly close.  However, we did see about 10 Galapagos Giant Tortoises during the visit.  They were all in the shade, as despite our landing at 8am, it was already warm.  Later on we came across a Land Iguana - they are a brown colour and slightly more attractive than the Marine Iguana.  It has to be said that the Marine Iguana has a face that only its mother could love.

There were the usual Darwin’s Finches (my but we’re getting blasé), and Galapagos Warblers, and several Mockingbirds.

At the end of the trail we were able to go swimming - and wow, was it needed.  I was so very hot I couldn’t wait to get in.  30 minutes in the sea calmed things down and it was back on board the pangas for an “interesting” transit back to the Beluga.  The wind had got up, and as a result there were some quite big waves.  Our helmsman did a great job but we were all soaked by the time we got back.  Fortunately all my vulnerable kit was safely packed away in my dry bag.

After lunch, it was time to go snorkelling again, the Yacht had sailed on to Punta Tortuga (Tagus Cove).  Here we saw turtles, white tipped sharks and the penguin in the extras.

Then, to cap off an eventful day we took the trail walk on the top of the caldera that formed the bay, before returning for dinner.  Needless to say, I'm expecting to sleep well tonight.