Bartolome and Santiago Islands
An optional early morning wake up call took our troopers to a spectacular view point at the summit of Bartolome Island. During this beautiful, heart-pumping walk up a wooden-board stairway made up of three hundred and seventy three steps, our naturalists introduced us to the magnificent geological secrets of the Galápagos. Spectacular volcanic cones were our stopping spots on our way up to the summit. We observed tracks of the lava streams that once ran down the flanks of the main volcano and a couple of lava tubes. Pioneer plants and cactuses were pointed out, as well as the very first inhabitants of this special barren island: lava lizards.
All this excitement was just an introduction to what was awaiting us for the rest of the morning. After breakfast, we were briefed by our Expedition Leader about safety in snorkeling, and as soon as we were all geared up, we disembarked on a fabulous golden sand beach. Once ashore, we took a short walk across sand dunes to a far beach to observe the nests of sea turtles before returning to the landing beach for one of the best snorkeling sites of the week. This outing included highlights such as enormous, colourful parrotfish, graceful reef sharks, and for many a huge surprise: Galápagos penguins in the water!
The afternoon outing was a nice calm stroll along the shoreside of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island. Big marine iguanas, Galápagos and fur sea lions together with many of the land and shore birds that are native and endemic to this archipelago were the highlights of the afternoon. We all learned a lot about a couple of attempts of human settlements that happened on these islands, as well as the big efforts the Galápagos National Park Service has made to restore and now maintain the natural habitats of this island, once so affected by introduced mammals. Once on board, our “pampering department” had prepared the most delicious Ecuadorian ceviche for us to accompany the most spectacular sunset with drinks up on the sky deck.
An optional early morning wake up call took our troopers to a spectacular view point at the summit of Bartolome Island. During this beautiful, heart-pumping walk up a wooden-board stairway made up of three hundred and seventy three steps, our naturalists introduced us to the magnificent geological secrets of the Galápagos. Spectacular volcanic cones were our stopping spots on our way up to the summit. We observed tracks of the lava streams that once ran down the flanks of the main volcano and a couple of lava tubes. Pioneer plants and cactuses were pointed out, as well as the very first inhabitants of this special barren island: lava lizards.
All this excitement was just an introduction to what was awaiting us for the rest of the morning. After breakfast, we were briefed by our Expedition Leader about safety in snorkeling, and as soon as we were all geared up, we disembarked on a fabulous golden sand beach. Once ashore, we took a short walk across sand dunes to a far beach to observe the nests of sea turtles before returning to the landing beach for one of the best snorkeling sites of the week. This outing included highlights such as enormous, colourful parrotfish, graceful reef sharks, and for many a huge surprise: Galápagos penguins in the water!
The afternoon outing was a nice calm stroll along the shoreside of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island. Big marine iguanas, Galápagos and fur sea lions together with many of the land and shore birds that are native and endemic to this archipelago were the highlights of the afternoon. We all learned a lot about a couple of attempts of human settlements that happened on these islands, as well as the big efforts the Galápagos National Park Service has made to restore and now maintain the natural habitats of this island, once so affected by introduced mammals. Once on board, our “pampering department” had prepared the most delicious Ecuadorian ceviche for us to accompany the most spectacular sunset with drinks up on the sky deck.
