Before breakfast we boarded the Zodiacs to disembark on a small volcanic island called Bartolomé. This island is still young with not many plants and animals. The process of colonization carried out by pioneer organisms is quite remarkable and it is currently taking place. These creatures are snakes, lava lizards, insects and small plants that tolerate the prolonged droughts and the extreme heat of this location.
The Galápagos Marine Reserve is considered to be among the largest reserves in the world. Therefore it is of enormous importance for science and tourism and the economy of the Galápagos islands and Ecuador. Today we had a great snorkeling outing because it was not just fish that we had around us, as we explored the shallow waters we had close encounters with tropical fish, sea lions and penguins!
In the second part of the day after lunch we anchored off Rábida Island. Here we had an afternoon packed with exciting activities! Some of us explored Rábida Island from kayaks. The shore on this island was dotted with creatures like sea birds, sea lions and marine iguanas. Once we entered the water we were literally surrounded by black-striped salemas, parrotfish, yellow tailed razors, marine iguanas foraging under water, and sea turtles!
Once we ended our activities we boarded the National Geographic Islander and we moved to Isabela Island. Right now one of the volcanoes is erupting and we had an opportunity to see the volcanic activity at night. Actually, it is the best time to see the color of the lava, glowing as it flows down the slope of the volcano. We also enjoyed watching the light of the hot molten rocks cast on the clouds above Wolf Volcano.
What a great day!
