Bartolomé & Santiago Islands

Everybody has stories to tell. Our guests on board the National Geographic Islander all have many stories to tell of today’s visit and all of them are true. Bartolomé was phenomenal in every way. Everyone was given a choice of what they wanted to do. No matter what each person chose everybody collected an immense treasure, in just one morning! Many had never snorkeled before, so this was their chance to practice. Even in water only up to our waists, penguins and hundreds of fish engulfed us. Those who were more experienced snorkelers enjoyed the freedom this activity provided, as they had the opportunity to explore.

For those who chose not to swim, but stay on dry land, the experience was by no means smaller. While exercising our abilities as field assistants counting turtle’s tracks, some debris was picked up off the beach, thus performing our good deed of the day. We also watched a number of sea turtles trying to reach the beach, probably to rest; hopefully to nest. We were all startled by a whimbrel (shore bird) that behaved as though it were a long lost friend of ours. We were enjoying the whimbrels presence so much that we forgot to check on the time. By noon, feeling a little amused by our fortune, we all of us met up on the beach, for it was time to leave for Santiago Island. But Santiago -we are sure - will be as beautiful as Bartolomé, with many more things for us to see. Yet, we are more than satisfied with what we have experienced so far. Why worry about more? We can count this as a day to rival.