cruise adventure ] [ Española Island

[huntersdaughter]

Who: Anyone on the Cruise
Where: Española Island
What: Fun Times!
When: Wednesday the 25th of June
Notes: Feel free to make your own section! Prose or brackets are welcome, just respect what the other person does!


The cruise ship ports early in the morning having traveled the distance from the previous island to the Española. Breakfast is served on the main deck, letting everyone take in all of the amazing blue water. Cast your eyes up the shore to the white beaches where if you look, you can see the sea lions just starting to sun themselves in the early morning brightness. They'll start to call to each other once the day carries on. For now, enjoy the quiet.

When you're done with breakfast, head out to the beaches. There's a cool breeze off the water so it's not as hot as you might thing, even with the sun beating off that bright white sand. You can go shopping or plan your day around the animals that are native to the island. Española is the oldest of the Galapagos islands, estimated at 3 million years old, allowing its wildlife to evolve the most. Prepare yourself to see things you haven't seen before and much closer than you imagined.

Watch out for the Hood Mockingbird! They are not afraid of you at all and don't be alarmed if they land on your head! They are not the only birds native to the island, you'll also be able to enjoy the amazing site of the Waved Albatross. These large birds utilize the high cliffs of the island to their advantage. Take a moment to see if you can catch one of them feeding from the ocean.

Enjoy your time on the island, you can even schedule yourself some time in the water. There's plenty to do today!

Comments

Welcome to the Island!

[huntersdaughter]

You've docked and breakfast is served. Feel free to sleep the day away, head up to the deck, swim in the pool... or maybe you need to meet up with friends and head out to the island! The day is yours!

in case anyone is up for late cruise-going backtags!

[whathedoves]

[Yuuya is ready for some sun!

It's early in the morning, still, but he's already prepared to take off to the island and enjoy a good sunbath (and a quick dip, maybe, but saltwater would be bad for his feathers.

Of course, as soon as he's ashore he finds himself face-to-face turtles, attempting to have a one-sided conversation with them.]

Hello, my friends! Some day we're having, isn't it?

[downright]

[ Talking pigeon. Totally not a surprise. Nope. ]

Castle turned you into a bird?

[whathedoves]

[Yuuya gives his wings a surprised flutter, caught off guard when he was so obviously paying so much attention to the tortoise (? turtle? aren't they the same thing?).]

Quite the opposite, sir! I'm always a bird, but it seems to like turning me into a human! Thankfully, it spared me for this little rendezvous.

[downright]

[ askfgskgf one's a water dwelling animal and the other is a land dwelling animal, Yuuyaaaa~~ ]

Have you always been a talking bird? Or is this just a 'being in magical la la land' thing? [ Ha! Talking animals. This is always such a Disney moment. Still wishes the castle would give him a talking pet rat someday. ]

[whathedoves]

[BIRDS ARE SPECIEST.]

Every day of my life! Since I learned to talk, that is - I'd like to say I hatched with such a remarkable vocabulary, but these things do take time.

I should clear the air: This is the norm, where I'm from!

White Sandy Beaches

[huntersdaughter]

The sand is so clean looking! Bright white and almost soft beneath your feet. Roll out your beach towel and take some time to catch some sun.

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra has her towel laid out, umbrella propped, and seems to be taking a nap in the sun in her bathing suit. I'll decide on one eventually.

For those of you who know her, you can probably can guess she's not really asleep so just say hi. As for the rest of you, prepare for a jump scare if you get too close or bother her.]

[quits]

[Pepper spots the woman and moves to head over toward her. She stops at the foot of her towel and tips her head.]

Would you mind some company?

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra glances up at the woman and nods. Sure, why not?] I don't mind. Have a seat.

[quits]

Thanks. [She smiles and takes a seat.]

I can't believe the weather. It's so pleasant.

[likethetragedy]

It's a nice compliment to the scenery. [She exhales audibly.] I don't know how I'll go back to the Four Seasons Room after this.

[supes]

[How often do they get to do this? Needless to say, Clark is pretty glad to have an ~official~ vacation, and he and his beautiful wife are set for a nice day in the sun and sand. As such, Clark is laden with an armful of stuff -- a beach umbrella, towels, and a drink cooler, amongst other things -- and now all they need to do before they can start their lovely beach day is...]

How about this spot?

[To set up their umbrella and towels, of course.]

[loisfuckinglane]

[ meanwhile, lois is carrying a beach chair under one arm, balancing a coconut drink with a little umbrella sticking out in her other hand. she surveys the spot, before nodding in approval. ]

It's definitely got a view.

[supes]

It really does.

[Wow. He's done a little travel, but never to a place like this. He smiles and sets the cooler and towels down, and then drives the umbrella into the sand.]

I'm really glad we did this.

[loisfuckinglane]

You and me both. [ she smirks as she sets up her chair, glancing up at him ] Not that we entirely had a choice in the matter.

[supes]

No... but we could be standing by waiting for the castle to turn this into a bad thing. Instead, we're making the best of this.

[He stretches out the towels.]

Happy belated Honeymoon.

[yeahihidmypants]

[Hey, guess who is walking by -- it's Oliver. He stops with his own towel tucked under his arm and laughs when he spots the happy couple.]

Great minds, huh?

Diving Sites

[huntersdaughter]

[for reference]

If you're looking for something different, head over to any one of the diving sites that are available for you. See the sea lions face to face! Enjoy the warmth of the water and see the amazing underwater fauna.

Islote Gardner

This small island in front of Gardner Bay is lined with vertical cliffs that drop to sandy ledges and large boulders. Diving here you will encounter the smallest of the Galapagos garden eels, snake eels, blackspot morays, Galapagos pufferfish, scorpionfish, and red-lipped batfish. On the north end of the island are twisting tunnels and to the south are caves making for interesting exploration. The area has an abundance of fish including schools of snappers, creolefish, king angelfish, butterflyfish, jacks, large pufferfish and a variety of sea urchins and sea stars.


Bajo Gardner

Normally the second dive at Española begins at the sea mount. Here contrasting Islote Gardner you will find some of the largest and least timid of the Galapagos garden eels. Tiger eels and red-lipped batfish are also common. Frequent encounters include eagle rays, hammerheads, schools of snappers, brightly colored peacock flounders, moray eels, whitetips, morays, king angel fish, creolefish, yellowtail surgeons, large Spanish hogfish, flag cabrillos and Panama graysbys.

[huntersdaughter]

[Jo has opted to go diving at Islote Gardner. She's already spent the morning learning how everything works and now she's ready for the dive. Anyone can join her.]

Dinner on the Ship or the Beach

[huntersdaughter]

With lights lining the railing of the deck, the water looks amazing. It's picturesque no matter how you look at it and everything is amazing. The food is delicious and there's so much fresh fruit that you might have to wonder if there's any fruit left on the islands.

Enjoy your meal and some late night dancing on the deck. If you like, you can venture onto the beach, just make sure you're back on the boat before it departs at midnight.

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra will be enjoying her dinner on the boat. If anyone is dancing now, she'll be watching them.

Clearly this means someone should ask her to dance with them.]

[yeahihidmypants]

[Someone is definitely going to ask her to dance. In fact, he's just arrived with a string of Scalesia flowers chained together into a small circle. It's loose around his wrist as he moves approaches her.]

I'm late for dinner, but I'm hoping I'm early for a dance.

[likethetragedy]

[She smiles coyly.] I think you might be able to get away with that. Nice flowers by the way.

[yeahihidmypants]

I'm fond of getting away with things and the flowers are for you. [He'll take the loop off his wrist and set it atop her head. Perfect fit!]