Sombrero Chino
What a wonderful time we had today!
The National Geographic Islander anchored at our visitors’ site for this morning, Sombrero Chino.
Our first activity was a Zodiac ride around this volcanic cone. Afterward we had many options to maximize our marine experience: Zodiac rides, relaxing at the beach and deep-water snorkeling. We were welcomed by Galápagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks, marine iguanas, and tons of fish. All these creatures swam around us in this underwater realm.
After a well-deserved breakfast on board we got back underwater.
In a narrow channel between Chinese Hat and Santiago Island, we snorkeled, this site was very different, yet it had great underwater wildlife: parrot fishes, king angels, black-striped salemas, sergeant majors and many others. For the non-snorkelers, the beach was a great spot to play in the sand and enjoy the company of Galápagos sea lions.
Today, the water temperature was so comfortable that once we arrived to the “pick up point,” our guests opted to take off their masks and continue on swimming at a close by beach for fun and relaxation. It was a stunning day on Paradise Island.
Back on board we sailed for our next destination, Sullivan Bay. In the meantime our Expedition Leader Dr. Lynn Fowler gave her presentation about tortoises on Alcedo volcano. Soon after our galley staff presented suculenta, a typical eastern Ecuadorian dish for our guests.
As we repositioned, we approached a superb shoreline for a wonderful walk over “brand new” lava rock, we believe the fissure erupted by 1897; an array of flows frozen in time for us to walk a “poetry of lava” contoured with brutal and powerful silky softness, a place which can never be described to many unless you see it; the ripples, sharpness, boldness and mysticism makes this walk a heaven for every visitor specially geologists and those at heart.
We headed back to the ship to see a scatter sunset through heavy rainy clouds, and soon we shared our photos and watched our own impressive video chronicle, presented by Beau Sylte and the highlights of our expedition over dinner.
We have reached the pinnacle of our voyage, and we are now a big family. This is the magic touch of “the enchanted islands.” I can’t wait for our new experiences, for tomorrow we will be in the northern hemisphere.
Until the next time my dear reader.
