Day 2 in isolation. Thank goodness for my books and the documentaries on the ship’s TV or I’d be stir crazy. Patty has been wonderful stopping by to keep me posted on all that’s going on – we sit out on the balcony on opposite ends to converse. Plus I have multiple staff members checking on me and taking care of my needs.

This morning while I was looking out from my balcony and Patty was looking out from hers (they moved her just two rooms down from me) we were excited when we saw sea turtles swimming right past the edge of the ship. As if that wasn’t enough, the next thing I saw was a hammerhead shark swimming by!

Off and on all day I’d wander outside and in, trying to break up the monotony. Had some beautiful birds circle overhead at times.

Initially we were between Fernandina Island (the one with the active volcano) and Isabela Island, the largest in the Galapagos originally comprised of 6 volcanoes. But mostly I saw ocean.

Patty was able to go out on an afternoon tender ride and Joan and Alison went snorkeling. Later they played Galapagos trivia and charmingly named their team after me, their missing member. Plus she brought me one of the evening’s special drinks, a Yellow Warbler.

And then Patty let me know that we were close to crossing the equator! She sent me notes counting down the time to crossing so I could take a selfie to remember my first sea crossing. No longer a Pollywog but a Shellback!