We had the best day today. Before leaving for Isabela, we’d booked a day tour of Seymour North island for Friday (originally Saturday but it was cancelled or booked out). Neither Glen or I were really thrilled about getting on a boat again but I was keen to see Magnificent and Great Frigates, the ones with the red throat pouches. Who knew it would turn out to be such a good day?

After a pretty good breakfast buffet at our hotel, we walked down the road to our pickup point. The bus came along sometime after eight, we went around picking up other people and then zoomed across the island to the dock near Baltra Island.

Driving through the middle of the island is a feast for the eyes as you go from the busyness of the port, up into the tropical rainforest of the highlands and then to the sparse lava rocks on the other side. The Galapagos is a place of contrasts, that’s for sure.

While on the bus, we chatted to a woman called Connell who was from Lancaster, England. She had only gotten out of hospital nine weeks ago after major surgery on her hip (and about a month in bed, losing muscle condition). She was very into birds and delighted in spotting new species throughout the day. I was amazed at how well huge was getting around (and she was pleased too), though Glen and I were her occasional support in and out of the inflatable boat.

At the dock, we were put in an inflatable and taken out to a really nice boat called the Galapagos Shark. It was much nicer than the boats we’d been on, more like a yacht. We could climb around the side and sit on the bow, which Glen and I did as we slowly made our way down the channel towards Seymour North. We sunbaked while the boat gently travelled along, and we remarked how this actually was the life. (I hope my skin doesn’t burn though. So far so good.)

We took another inflatable across to the island, landing amongst Sally lightfoot crabs. Once everyone was on dry land, we began our long walk around the island. First we saw frigates, including males with their red pouches. And then we began to see the land iguanas. These things are so big and full of character. I’d completely forgotten they were here on the islands, so I was stoked to see them.

The recent rain had made the trees sprout leaves and grasses appear, all of which brought out the iguanas. They were even climbing trees, something apparently not seen very often but we saw about six of them doing it.

Lots of frigates, both Magnificent (purple back feathers) and Great (green back feathers), and juveniles (white heads), females (white throats) and males (red throat pouches). We even saw mating displays, both to attract a mate and also once one was attracted.

Blue footed boobies were also on the island and we saw one mating display (they dance, showing their ‘blue suede shoes’) and also one standing over two eggs.

Down by the beach, seals played in the surf. All in all, it was a magnificent place and a great choice to spend the day.

But we weren’t don’t yet.

Back on the boat, we were treated to a delicious lunch. Other tours have just had a ham and cheese roll (which I couldn’t eat) and a juice box. Here we had delicious fish (some of the best tasting I’ve ever had) that was cooked fresh on the boat, served with rice and salad. Then a fruit salad for dessert.

We ate while the boat meandered back across the channel to Santa Cruz and our next stop – Bachas Beach. Back in the inflatable, we were taken to the beach, got out, and then went snorkelling.

We saw many of the same fish species we’d seen elsewhere but this didn’t really matter. There were a couple of new things though, including sea cucumbers, an electric blue fish and an eel! The eel was in the shallows and swam straight towards Glen. He didn’t scream. I was so proud.

After a half hour to an hour, it was time to go. We got back on the boat and were then treated to an amazing display as hundreds of Blue footed Boobies took off from the water and flew around. They were obviously taking advantage of the shoals of fish. That’s been one amazing thing about the snorkelling: seeing big shoals of fish, almost like a swarm. Stunning!

A leisurely boat ride back to the dock, Glen and I sunning ourselves on the bow. I read a book. I was in heaven. I’d consider coming back to the islands if every day were like that.

Back on land, we then took the bus back to town and were dropped off outside our hotels. We said goodbye to Connell but might see her on the flight home on Sunday.

We walked back into our clean, comfortable hotel room, looking out to the pool outside – which had a seal sitting on the edge. Now it’s time to search for food because I’m starving!

Tomorrow is our last full day and we’re going to the Charles Darwin research centre, just outside town. I also want to check out El Chato tortoise reserve and one of two beaches (not sure yet which).

What an amazing day! I can’t wait to show you the photos and the videos.