Excited and energized, we started our morning with a hike to the top of Bartolome Island. Bartolome is a small island very close to Santiago Island, and its volcanic past is duly noted as there is very little vegetation present and parasitic cones litter the island. As the sun went up so did we, as we followed the nearly 400 steps to the top of the island. More than 25 islands are seen from this spectacular view point, which is at the center of the archipelago. We observed the strange consistency of the cinder cones in the distance as the northern flank is higher than the southern one in almost all the cones. Charles Darwin deduced that this must be due to the prevailing winds coming from the south, which they do. An occasional lava lizard crossed our path as we headed down to return our ship and a hearty breakfast.
Later on, after getting our snorkeling equipment, we returned to Bartolome. We spotted a Galapagos penguin along the coast as we entered the water and encountered flounders, white-tipped reef sharks, sting rays, and an abundance of marine species. As we returned to our floating home, it was hard to believe that it was only midday. Our chef Christian and his crew had outdone themselves preparing an Ecuadorian buffet with dishes from all over Ecuador. An Ecuadorian siesta ensued as we prepared ourselves for Rabida Island.
Upon arrival to Rabida, we found a crimson island that appeared to be out of place in comparison with the black basalt lava flows found elsewhere. Kayakers headed along the lee of the island as they enjoyed Galapagos fur seals and brown pelicans along the coast. Deepwater snorkelers entered the ocean to find Pacific green sea turtles feeding in the shallows. Schools of anchovies and black-stripped salemas (an endemic species) surrounded those of us who were free-diving. A diamond sting ray gracefully swam by us on its way to deeper waters. As we continued along the coast, bottle-nosed dolphins rode the bow waves of our Zodiacs and swam close to the kayakers. As our day finished and the sun set, we walked on the fine sand beach among the Galapagos sea lions and flitting mockingbirds. The island gave us some final warmth as the light of our sunset bathed the beach and we continued our exploration of this enchanted place.
