Another adventure awaits. This time we are in the middle of the Galapagos. After breakfast we are ready for the first activity of the day which consists of a Zodiac ride along the coast of Santiago Island and Chinese Island where sometimes penguins can be seen. After some time looking for one it came our way. It was very busy catching fish but there it was, our treasure.
After this we come back on board to change and get ready for snorkeling at the same place we did the ride earlier so we are already familiar with the area. As soon as we entered the water we marveled at the exquisite underwater life of the site. A Galapagos penguin in the water catching fish right in front of our eyes and cameras—they are so fast as they fly through the water!
Another unusual thing was to find colorful fishes of the tropics together with cold water fishes, and to see penguins and reef sharks sharing the same habitat. This was just an unbelievable morning outing.
A little before lunch we navigated close to a nearby island with a brackish water lagoon where flamingoes can be seen very often. We were able to spot a few.
Navigation took us to where our next activity takes place. The place is called Sullivan Bay and is mostly fresh pahoehoe lava formed about 130 years ago. It allows us to witness the process of colonization by plants and animals of a newly formed place. This lava shows incredible shapes and is so amazing to be walking on a place like this like in the beginning of time and life on earth. Animals like lava lizards and plants like lave cactus are among the very few that can sustain life in this barren environment.
