Genovesa

Sorrowful note:
My film SLR failed me, so I only have a few 'record shots' taken with my digital camera from Genovesa: ironic, since I chose this itinerary specially so that I could get to Genovesa.

In the morning, we landed at Prince Philip's Steps, so named because he visited here many years ago. This is a dry, but slippy landing, and a hefty clamber up the steps which make the cliff face accessible. For me, at least, a good few minutes getting my breath back at the top!

A notable feature of the plant life of Genovesa is the northern species of Giant Prickly Pear: Opuntia helleri. The Giant Prickly Pear species occur throughout the islands, but are an excellent illustration of adaptive radiation.
There have never been Giant Tortoises or Land Iguanas on the northern islands, so the 'spines' are very soft and hair-like, since the plant relies on birds for pollination.

The afternoon landing was at the attractive white sand and coral beach at Darwin Bay. Since it was high tide, the trail was covered with water, which flows up the trail's 'gully' like a river (if you didn't know better!)

One of the creatures I'd most like to see is the Manta Ray. Although there were a few 'glimpses' by others during the trip, this was the only one I saw: being fed on by Lava Gulls.