San Cristobal
We slept well as we navigated on a calm sea last night; the day of hiking in the highlands of Santa Cruz and the evening of music and dancing after dinner had tired us out. This morning we awoke as the Captain was dropping anchor and soon after our hearty breakfast, three groups of hikers disembarked on the beach at Punta Pitt on the northwest end of this eastern most island of San Cristobal. Today it was HOT! The sun glared down on us and we quickly worked off our breakfast calories. We climbed a ravine and then explored the high plateau from which the views of the steep eroded cliffs and the ocean beyond were magnificent. We photographed the very different looking endemic lava lizards (this paler species is found only on this one island!) and marveled that Darwin too had spent a few days on the island of San Cristobal. Back down at the beach we joined those who had taken the Zodiac ride option and many went for a swim!
Those who joined me for a Zodiac cruise around the offshore islets saw all three species of booby – blue-footed, Nazca and red-footed. We watched sea lions lazing on the rocks and sand, and frigates and swallow-tailed gulls soaring. The hikers took a Zodiac ride too, after they had cooled off in the sea.
In the afternoon we visited the dramatic eroded tuff cone called Leon Dormido (sleeping lion) in Spanish and Kicker Rock in English. All three of our intrepid Naturalists – Ruly, Walter and Ferndando – lead their group of guests on a final deep-water snorkeling outing. Galápagos sharks, sea turtles and sea lions were the stars of the show this afternoon. Someone spotted an octopus, and those who took the time to investigate the invertebrate life clinging to the steep rocky walls saw many colorful creatures.
Captian Pablo Garces slowly circumnavigated Leon Dormida with the National Geographic Islander. Our cheerful bartender Jimmy served drinks and appetizers to us as we snapped countless photos of the spectacular rock in the late golden afternoon light. As the sunset we set course towards Pto Baquerizo Moreno, the main town on southern San Cristobal. Tomorrow we will reluctantly disembark, leaving behind this comfortable ship and friendly crew, and the magical Galápagos Islands. But we have photos and memories to remind us of what has been a fabulous week!
