FOLLOWING DARWIN TO URBINA BAY AND TAGUS COVE

The morning of Nov. 22/ 14 found us deep into the Bolivar Channel anchored at Urbina Bay.  Darwin's Beagle had made its way to this point.  We know for certain that he laid anchor at Tagus Cove for a period of time.  Many whalers and buccaneers had been here before him as we witnessed through graffiti on the steep cliffs surrounding the cove.

There were whales around our boat in the morning.  The setting was serene and pristine with nary a boat in sight.  We were far south in the channel which now opened up to open ocean in the west.  We went by dingy to land in Urbina Bay on the west side of Isabela.

Our first excursion of the day was a long hike in search of very large yellow iguanas.  Our guide told us that their average age was over 100 years.  We also saw giant tortoises in the growth along the path.

Yellow iguanas rule the pathway at Urbina Bay

LOOK AT ME, AREN'T I LOVELY

I HOPE THAT YOU CAN SEE THE FINE DETAIL ON MY PRETTY FACE

MURIEL GETS UP CLOSE FOR A BETTER LOOK

I FEEL VERY BRAVE AS I LOOK AWAY

ALWAYS A GIANT TORTOISE LURKING NEARBY

THE LEGEND IS WAITING IN THE DISTANCE AND A DINGY IS ON ITS WAY TO PICK US UP AT URBINO BAY

MURIEL AND I OFF FOR OUR FIRST SNORKEL OF THE DAY

MANY SCHOOLS OF FISH SWIMMING AROUND US.  THESE LOOK LIKE BLACK SALEMA

THIS PELICAN IS CHECKING OUT HIS DINNER

JUST TO THINK THAT THIS SEA TURTLE CAN TRAVEL THOUSANDS OF MILES THROUGH THE OPEN OCEAN

AND THIS IS ME AT URBINA BAY SPOTTING MY BELOVED GIANT SEA TURTLE.  WE CONTINUED TO HAVE A NICE VISIT

BELOW YOU SEE US SCOOTING ALONG THE LAND OF URBINA BAY