Best Day So Far - May 11

Today we transferred to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, again via 2-hr water taxi but much smoother water, and arrived at the lovely Hotel Albemarle. A great breeze blew through the small open hotel lobby, which opened to an atrium inside. The sandy ocean beach just across the street was filled with palm trees waving fronds and framed with black rocks extending into the beautiful blue water, waves noisily crashing over them. A small cruise ship, a couple of large catamarans, and a cargo ship were anchored out in the bay. However, no time to enjoy it (yet). After checking in, we walked through town to a forested outdoor tortoise breeding center, and saw tortoises of all shapes, ages, and sizes, where the National Park works to repopulate the islands to make up for the damage caused by humans bringing dogs, cats, goats, donkeys, and pigs to the islands, some of which have become feral, and are periodically subject to humane eradication programs, to save the endemic species of birds and reptiles. After another delicious lunch (most meals included an interesting soup, fresh fruit and vegetables, rice, beans, and seafood), we joined a National Park tour of Tintorella (named after the Reef Shark). The tight camaraderie we had developed within our small group was somewhat disrupted by having to share the tour with others (a combination of English and Spanish speaking tourists). We first enjoyed a “power” snorkel through big swells of ocean water out to several islets, where we each had to struggle to see and follow the person in front of us, especially difficult toward the end with the sun in our eyes. At one point, I was lucky enough to pop up just as the our young female Park Guide pointed out a sea turtle underneath the water, which swam to the surface, breathed, and then dove again. Ben saw a big starfish. Next we walked along the black lava shoreline and took a boat ride around the islets, where, for all the photo takers, we stalked the small Galapagos penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, frigate birds, and more. Finally back at the hotel, our room was heavenly, on the second floor, with large stone tile floors, open stairways of bricks and wood, high ceilings, 2 modern sinks made of large bowls sitting on top, walk-in shower with glass door, firm comfortable beds with sheets (vs. useless duvets), many good pillows, and very welcome A/C, quiet, over the door, operated by remote. Two glass doors opened to the balcony looking out on the ocean. The experience in the Lava Lodge helped me appreciate the amenities we were now enjoying. I faced the fact that I'm just not as tough as I used to be. We slept well. (These pics was generously shared by our wonderful guide, Gustavo, since I was too busy surviving to take pictures.)