This morning we woke up anchored on the northern side of Bartholomew. This visit allowed us to illustrate how life begins on a newly formed island. We identified four endemic settler plants; pioneers that open the soil formation process and allow other forms of life to exist. Without them, these islands would remain barren for a long time, geologically speaking.
After the visit we had breakfast, then distributed snorkelling gear and eagerly jumped into the water with sharks, rays, penguins and all types of reef fish. For lunch, as National Geographic Islander sailed towards Jervis Island, we enjoyed typical Ecuadorian food. Jervis, or Rábida Island as it’s commonly known, is ruddy due to the minerals within the soil, which produce rust when exposed to oxygen in the air. As the sun set on the horizon, we walked the bright red sandy beach as the perfect ending to a magical day.
