Isla Isabela...que bonita

Today was our last island excursion, this time to the largest island, Isabela, shaped like a seahorse. We followed the same pattern to which we have become accustomed: walk to the pier, get on the taxi boat, alternating the seating pattern from side to side to distribute the weight, go out to the boat, take a two hour boat ride to the island, taxi, pier.

After arriving on Isabela, we took smaller boats on a cruise around the island, where we saw our long-awaited penguins, along with more blue-footed boobies, herons, and, of course, our playful sea lions. We got off the boats on a small island of "aa" lava, home to the marine iguanas. We took a forty-five minute walk, viewing the iguanas in their home. Even though we had a path to follow, we still had to watch our step, as the marine iguanas did not follow the rules of where the path wandered. These creatures were everywhere, scurrying about, taking a dip, and climbing on top of each other to keep warm and raise their temperature before going back into the sea. My favorite picture of the day is a marine iguana just hanging out as a lizard sits in his head.

At the end of our walk, we came upon a small, narrow channel that is home to some sharks. These are resting sharks, relying on the current of the channel to give them enough movement in their gills, so most of the time they are just relaxing on the bottom. In their bodies, they feel the pulses of the fish when they need to feed. The funniest of all, however, is looking down into the channel and seeing the rocks move, because they are covered with hundreds of these iguanas!

After reboarding the boat, we went out and snorkeled again. This was more shallow than yesterday's expedition and very clear. We had the opportunity to see our sea lions and turtles again, along with so many different kinds of colorful fish. We also saw a variety of starfish resting on the bottom. When I return to the States with strong wifi, I am definitely researching all the fish I saw. I grew up with seeing trout and bass, so these fish just blew me away. I just can't describe the feeling of swimming along, looking at the rocks and coral just a few feet below, when all of a sudden the bottom of the sea just opens up, displaying all that it has to offer, from fish big and small to our ever present sea lions. I don't know how I am going to adjust to coming home and not seeing a sea lion every time I turn a corner.

We then boarded a bus and head up to Flamingo Lagoon, to see an area where the local population keeps a brackish water pool for them to enjoy. A few minutes later we went into the town for lunch, ending with jello with a coconut whipped cream topping, and then went to the white sand beach to climb a lookout, see more marine iguanas, and enjoy the sun and water. When boarding the bus to go back to the pier for departure, we automatically boarded the bus, alternating where we sat, even though there was no fear of the bus tipping over like a boat...

It was a bumpy ride back, but the views and experiences on Isabela were worth it. These days in the sun and water have definitely worn us out, and we are calling it an earlier night than normal, but not until after a short, last walk around town for some purchases. Tomorrow, we head up to the highest part of the island before heading to the airport and back to the mainland. We will then spend two nights in a Quito hotel while exploring the Cotopaxi National Park. Hopefully it will have wifi as well, to stay in touch.

Hasta luego...