Our Last Full Day on Board - Genovesa Island

Our last full day was pent on the spectacular northern island of Genovesa and it is one of the most pristine islands in the archipelago.  We began with an early morning kayak along the shore where we spotted Nazca and red-footed boobies and tropicbirds along with some small fur sea lions (a different species than what we've seen previously).  Later we went on a naturalist led walk.  It is amazing that the birds just sit there in their nests or in the mangroves and are not at all afraid of people.  Richard and the rest of the photographers were ecstatic because its easy to get some great shots.

Photos - On Darwin Beach

Later we went on our last GREAT snorkel - and we loved swimming along the sides of a caldera.  The rocks drop off and you can see lovely large fish and we even had a furry sea lion in water near us.  This spot is called Darwin Bay and there are some crude steps called Prince Phillip's Steps that Richard went up with some of the others in the late afternoon.  (I was too pooped after kayaking, snorkeling and beach walking!)

Photos - Up Prince Phillip's Steps for nice walk for photos of Red Footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Frigate Birds and more.





The last night was memorable - we had a Champagne Toast and a wonderful meal culminating in flaming Baked Alaska.  We also shared our photos and had a great slide show with the other passengers.

We'd highly recommend going on a National Geographic Excursion!

Expedition Report

We have now flown back to Guayaquil and are staying in the Hilton.  We are taking a short tour of the town and tomorrow, we have a 3 a.m. wake up call for our flight  back to Miami.  

Here is what the guides told us:

If you are ever frustrated or hurried
or things are not going your way,
please close your eyes for a moment and remember;
the swirling sea lions, and the soaring birds,
and perhaps life will feel a little kinder and more light-hearted.
You may be leaving Galapagos,
but the Galapagos will never leave you!