Dragon Hill & Chinese Hat
We awoke anchored off the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island surrounded by absolutely quiet and calm waters. After breakfast, we headed ashore to Dragon Hill. We spent our first excursion of the day looking for Galápagos land iguanas. This area is usually arid, however, since it rained last night there was mud pools, and the humidity was unusual for this time.
We walked along a trail surrounded by Palo Santo trees, Galápagos cotton, and giant prickly pear cacti. After walking over dried lava, we arrived at the area where land iguanas can be found. Close to the path, a lonely male was enjoying a hearty meal of grass. Without any hesitation he made his way straight towards us. However, after a short acceleration in his pace right past us, it was obvious that the shade of a cactus was more enticing than we were.
We walked to the top of Dragon Hill and had a marvelous view of other islands in the distance. Once back on the National Geographic Endeavour some of us went deep water snorkeling, while others went to a small solitary beach to enjoy the wildlife ashore.
We sailed during lunch to Chinese Hat where we went swimming, deep water snorkeling, kayaking, and Zodiac riding along the coast. We were fascinated by the twisted curled up lava flows of Santiago coast, as well as the inhospitable yet beautiful landscape of Chinese Hat. We were enchanted by large schools of fish, sharks, and penguins. The wildlife was so docile around us, that we are able to explore these animals true behavior in this untouched environment.
We left Santa Cruz during a colorful sunset and sailed towards Bartolomé.
We awoke anchored off the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island surrounded by absolutely quiet and calm waters. After breakfast, we headed ashore to Dragon Hill. We spent our first excursion of the day looking for Galápagos land iguanas. This area is usually arid, however, since it rained last night there was mud pools, and the humidity was unusual for this time.
We walked along a trail surrounded by Palo Santo trees, Galápagos cotton, and giant prickly pear cacti. After walking over dried lava, we arrived at the area where land iguanas can be found. Close to the path, a lonely male was enjoying a hearty meal of grass. Without any hesitation he made his way straight towards us. However, after a short acceleration in his pace right past us, it was obvious that the shade of a cactus was more enticing than we were.
We walked to the top of Dragon Hill and had a marvelous view of other islands in the distance. Once back on the National Geographic Endeavour some of us went deep water snorkeling, while others went to a small solitary beach to enjoy the wildlife ashore.
We sailed during lunch to Chinese Hat where we went swimming, deep water snorkeling, kayaking, and Zodiac riding along the coast. We were fascinated by the twisted curled up lava flows of Santiago coast, as well as the inhospitable yet beautiful landscape of Chinese Hat. We were enchanted by large schools of fish, sharks, and penguins. The wildlife was so docile around us, that we are able to explore these animals true behavior in this untouched environment.
We left Santa Cruz during a colorful sunset and sailed towards Bartolomé.
