We don't waste much time. After breakfast, it was off to Prince Phillip's Steps. Yes, THAT Prince Phillip. The guy gets around. While still in the panga, we saw our first Galapagos fur seal (really a sea lion) for which we gave a cheer since they are nocturnal and often sleep in caves during the day. These were sleepy but right out on the rocks and one guy got up in our honor and gave us a bow. The Prince Phillip Steps start from a rocky ledge near shore where we disembarked from the panga. We climbed up quite a way to get to the top of the Genovesa Island which was a bit challenging but we all managed. We set off on a walk made lengthy by our frequent stops to see all the wonderful birds on the island including red-footed boobies, male frigate birds with their red throat pouches inflated to attract a mate, storm petrels and Galapagos owls (which we were very lucky to see.) In fact one owl was perched quite near us having lunch which appeared to be a hapless storm petrel. Lots of the boobies were sitting on their nests and we saw the changing off the guard when one parent spells the other. Each takes a 12-hour shift. They always have two eggs, the elder of which will eventually shove the younger out who then dies in the intense sun. The parents cannot feed two offspring so Darwin's survival of the fittest is very obvious here and insures the continuation of the species.
After the steps, we were more than ready for a deep-water snorkel and we had a great day for it - quite clear and not too much current. Several of us were lucky enough to see a hammerhead shark. Very exciting for our group. My sightings include one reef and one hammerhead shark. It's very difficult to convince yourself that they are not going to attack humans here. Can that really be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt? Lots of other beautiful fish too as well as one dead lobster although he still looked pretty good.
After lunch I was opted for a long hike along Darwin Bay Beach. We had easy going along the sand for awhile with lots of birds very close to us since they were nesting just off the shore. As we made our way toward the lava flow to continue on, we were stopped by high tide that made our path about thigh deep in water. Not too safe so we came back to the beach where I decided "what the hell?" and just went swimming with my clothes on. The water was so wonderful that several of us stayed to swim while the rest of the group went back to the ship. I was thinking how much my mom, the water baby, would have loved it. It also put me in mind of the British when they talk about having a bathe. Indeed! What a great end to a great visit. No hay lugar como Galapagos!
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