Bartolome Island & Santiago
It couldn’t have been a better day!
I was a nice morning with a cool breeze, but later on the sun was shining for snorkelers and beach goers. Our expedition started on the small, beautiful island of Bartolome, the early hike was impressive and in fact this island is one of the jewels in the Galápagos in terms of landscape, and why not, also the best place for a geologist, a terrain full of cinder cones and volcanic ash where hardy pioneer plants struggle to survive in a harsh dry environment.
The hike took us to the very top of the island and rewarded us with the most stunning view. The pinnacle rock, the golden beaches and the lava flows of Santiago Island, where Darwin spent some days during his voyage round the world. The landscape and scenic view were beyond expectation.
This was not all; after breakfast we headed for the golden beach for a short walk to the southern beach where we were delighted by a swarm of ghost crabs running all around and a number of shore birds and a school of white-tipped reef sharks.
After a long ride along the north-western flank of Santiago Island with a stunning view of volcanoes in the late afternoon we lowered anchor at Puerto Egas on Santiago Island; what could be better than snorkeling with sea lions and so much marine life in these calm waters? After snorkeling our aim was the Galápagos fur seal colony. These marine mammals were at the brink of extinction during the centuries of whalers and seal hunters, though numerous today they still need protection.
This hike included the intertidal area where you can see large animals like Galápagos sea lions, brown pelicans, and blue-footed boobies to mention a few. The place in fact is one of the best ones for bird watchers and photographers due to the great variety of wild life and light conditions in the evenings. At sunset we were ending our walk and concluding an amazing day beyond our expectations!
It couldn’t have been a better day!
I was a nice morning with a cool breeze, but later on the sun was shining for snorkelers and beach goers. Our expedition started on the small, beautiful island of Bartolome, the early hike was impressive and in fact this island is one of the jewels in the Galápagos in terms of landscape, and why not, also the best place for a geologist, a terrain full of cinder cones and volcanic ash where hardy pioneer plants struggle to survive in a harsh dry environment.
The hike took us to the very top of the island and rewarded us with the most stunning view. The pinnacle rock, the golden beaches and the lava flows of Santiago Island, where Darwin spent some days during his voyage round the world. The landscape and scenic view were beyond expectation.
This was not all; after breakfast we headed for the golden beach for a short walk to the southern beach where we were delighted by a swarm of ghost crabs running all around and a number of shore birds and a school of white-tipped reef sharks.
After a long ride along the north-western flank of Santiago Island with a stunning view of volcanoes in the late afternoon we lowered anchor at Puerto Egas on Santiago Island; what could be better than snorkeling with sea lions and so much marine life in these calm waters? After snorkeling our aim was the Galápagos fur seal colony. These marine mammals were at the brink of extinction during the centuries of whalers and seal hunters, though numerous today they still need protection.
This hike included the intertidal area where you can see large animals like Galápagos sea lions, brown pelicans, and blue-footed boobies to mention a few. The place in fact is one of the best ones for bird watchers and photographers due to the great variety of wild life and light conditions in the evenings. At sunset we were ending our walk and concluding an amazing day beyond our expectations!
