Bartolomé & Santiago Islands
As we are about to finish a memorable week on board the National Geographic Endeavour, the central islands of the Galápagos are just great. After having been all around the islands, and having seen so much, visiting Bartolomé was a good way to settle down the memories of this trip.
The island in question is a magnificent display of geological features that fascinate everybody, geologist and layperson alike. Of course it would be impossible to forget this island considering that one has to climb as many as 276 steps to get to the very summit of this small piece of paradise, and this is only half the trail! The island is far from being the highest point of the archipelago, yet the view from there could reach unsuspected levels. It really “tunes in” those who have the privilege of strolling on the flanks of this tuff cone.
After doing some exercise walking up there, the snorkeling was more than welcome. By now, most of our guests are capable of recognizing some fish. To be able to master not only the identification of fish and marine invertebrates but also to match the sea lions when swimming (oh yeah, sure we match them, in our dreams!!) is actually formidable.
The island of Santiago at Puerto Egas is another piece of fantasy with its rugged shorelines that make walking there easy and difficult at the same time. Thousands of sally lightfoot crabs surround the visitor, creating the opportunity for great photography. While this is happening, hundreds of sea birds and shore birds fly by as fur seals play in the grottos that have been given their name after the abundant presence of these marine mammals.
Watching the splendor of nature represented in the impressive Galápagos hawk soaring above our heads or the vivid green of the beach morning glory that runs down the sand to almost touch the water, is spiritually invigorating. All of us are talking about our experiences during this week; naturalists as well as guests know that even though we see the sun set on the horizon, the light of the Galápagos will forever burn inside us.
