Bartolomé & Puerto Egas
The day began with some heavy cloud cover, the typical expression of the dry season; but with a pleasant warm breeze – not typical for this season – and of course we were all happy. We have been on preparation for this visit ever since it was announced last night by our Expedition Leader.
The already well-known “non-stop to the top” group was all ready and set. People were excited by the fact that Bartolome Island is well-known by its famous Pinnacle Rock formation. And so we went!
Later on this morning, we swarmed the beach from where the snorkeling activity was launched. By this time, the day was bright and the heat of the sun made us feel its strength. Swimming was a pleasant surprise with a huge manta ray passing by, enhancing with its presence the harmony of colors and shapes displayed at the feet of Pinnacle Rock.
The afternoon wasn’t just a little event. Our expedition brought us up this time to Puerto Egas on western Santiago Island, but also to “La Mina de Sal”, a place nearby. The salt mine was an active operation in the 1960’s but apparently wasn’t very profitable and eventually it failed.
The hike along the coastline was simply outstanding. We checked on several yellow warblers eating out of the little ponds, and a happy oystercatcher family. Also a pod of orcas were eating out in the ocean and they were sighted because of all the frigates following them.
Today as the last day of our visiting week ran in front of us, we had the benefit of sunny conditions. Everything looked more lit, probably our guests made it work out that way; it may be a way to retain the places, to hold them longer in their minds, in their hearts.
