Galapagos - 4 - 15 November 2016

Tuesday, November 8, 2016
  Today we slept in as our Option 2 excursion, the Zodiac Ride, didn't depart until 10:00 AM.  So, off we went to explore Elizabeth Bay, Isabela Island, which is one of the westernmost points in the Galapagos. Our scenic zodiac ride within the sheltered inlet offered views of a wide variety of wildlife in the mangrove ecosystem to include penguins, turtles, diamond stingrays, manta rays, flightless cormorants, and

 blue footed boobies.  The highlight of our ride was when a blue footed booby flew directly over our Zodiac while the naturalist was saying, "Now remember, the feet will be tucked in, so you won't really see anything" when all of a sudden the blue footed booby fluttered his adorable blue feet for all of us to admire!
    Our afternoon included an extended Zodiac Ride and Short Walk, Option 2, in Tagus Cove.  Historically, this site provided shelter for wayfarers and was one of the areas visited by Charles Darwin in 1835.  We hiked up the side of a volcanic tuff cone to an amazing view of Darwin's Lake.

While it is "Election Day" back home, we're oblivious some 600 miles off land in the middle of the Pacific.  There's something to be said about not having Internet nor cell service!