Bartolome and Santiago Island
The first sunlight showed us the trail through one of the several geological chapters from the islands. Bartolome Island is an open natural book for this matter. Opportunely, there is a wooden-staircase built that facilitate us the way to the summit. We could observe the different types of formations, and from the top we had a 360 degree panorama from the Archipelago. It was an everlasting eruption!
In the late morning, we went on water activities. We landed on a gold-reddish beach on the northern side and took a short hike through mangrove area to the Southern beach which is a white organic one. We crossed the water line to visit the underwater world around Pinnacle Rock. The bizarre wildlife combination was unbelievable! While snorkeling along an eroded tuff formation, we encountered penguins, white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, tropical fish, Razor fish, sea stars, green sea urchins and even sting rays were seen. Some playful sea lions joined us, too.
On the other hand, in the afternoon, we landed on a black sandy beach at James Bay on Santiago Island. This place called Puerto Egas was a salt mine during the mid 60’s, and its owner was Hector Egas, hence the name. There were 200 people working and living here.
We had the opportunity to explore the marine ecosystem again. Furthermore, yearling sea lions were swimming with us, nevertheless the bull was patrolling. The sea turtles were feeding on an algae area.
We walked along the coast line, and several shore birds were spotted like whimbrels, American oystercatchers, semi-palmated plovers, and Ruddy Turnstones. Nature built another relaxing spot at the grottos for the Galápagos fur sea lions. They prefer rocky and shady places rather than sandy areas as sea lions do. The fur sea lions are known as “lobo de dos pelos.” They differ from the sea lions, because they have two layers of hair and are nocturnal feeders.
What a wonderful day to finish on the Enchanted Islands!
The first sunlight showed us the trail through one of the several geological chapters from the islands. Bartolome Island is an open natural book for this matter. Opportunely, there is a wooden-staircase built that facilitate us the way to the summit. We could observe the different types of formations, and from the top we had a 360 degree panorama from the Archipelago. It was an everlasting eruption!
In the late morning, we went on water activities. We landed on a gold-reddish beach on the northern side and took a short hike through mangrove area to the Southern beach which is a white organic one. We crossed the water line to visit the underwater world around Pinnacle Rock. The bizarre wildlife combination was unbelievable! While snorkeling along an eroded tuff formation, we encountered penguins, white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, tropical fish, Razor fish, sea stars, green sea urchins and even sting rays were seen. Some playful sea lions joined us, too.
On the other hand, in the afternoon, we landed on a black sandy beach at James Bay on Santiago Island. This place called Puerto Egas was a salt mine during the mid 60’s, and its owner was Hector Egas, hence the name. There were 200 people working and living here.
We had the opportunity to explore the marine ecosystem again. Furthermore, yearling sea lions were swimming with us, nevertheless the bull was patrolling. The sea turtles were feeding on an algae area.
We walked along the coast line, and several shore birds were spotted like whimbrels, American oystercatchers, semi-palmated plovers, and Ruddy Turnstones. Nature built another relaxing spot at the grottos for the Galápagos fur sea lions. They prefer rocky and shady places rather than sandy areas as sea lions do. The fur sea lions are known as “lobo de dos pelos.” They differ from the sea lions, because they have two layers of hair and are nocturnal feeders.
What a wonderful day to finish on the Enchanted Islands!
