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CW 15 2004
05.04. -11.04. 2004
Our first errand on Monday takes us to the Capitanerie in Villamil on Isabella. Even though our 20-day permit for the Galapagos archipelago has run out we get a 12-day extension without much ado. The people are very polite and even in this sleepy village Villamil they're friendly and the village seems well kept.
| The island Isabella is the largest of the Galapagos Islands. SanCristobal
was very impressive as far as its natural environment was concerned, but
this here is really pure heaven. Since we've practically dropped anchor in the middle of a nature reserve we use the dinghy for our exploring excursions. We, that are Nela & Tom and, new aboard for a short while, Claudia who will support us on our way to French Polynesia. |
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So we paddle along between the blocks of lava and admire the animal live. Apart from those species we already met, such as the giant turtle, sea iguanas and - of course - seals (if less obtrusive here), we actually meet penguins here. A rather small kind of these cute buddies are seated on the rocks watching us nosily, after they'd already been hunting all around SILVER BLUE in the morning. |
| Also hunting those tasty fish in the surroundings of our ship are the
blue-footed booby. Their interesting hunting method is often used as a
group. One of the birds gives a shrill whistle and together they all shoot
into the water like bullets from a gun, to emerge again after a few seconds,
popping to the surface like corks. The blue-foot-booby's mating dance is also quite unique. During this dance the birds present their blue feet to one another, taking turn is pointing them at their respective partners. |
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Isabella shows strong volcanic influences and on the weekend we climb the
worlds second highest volcano, the Sierra Negro.
Frist, we cross the dusty coastal plains that are covered in lava rocks, in
the back of a pickup truck. After a short time, and climbed a little higher,
we cross a sub-tropical region where everything is green and flowering, with
lots of fincas where fruit and vegetables are cultivated.
| And a little higher still we reach the volcano region. From here on
we can only continue on horseback and after another 2 hours we reach the
summit of Sierra Negro. |
Another half hour on foot and we're standing right in a rather new lava-field.
Steam is still rising from some of the holes and the lavas' different
colors and shapes are very beautiful. |
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More about beautiful things next week.
See you then … take care!
Tom & Nela
