This amazing week we have seen many different places around the Galapagos, some areas are extraordinary in terms of wildlife, colors, landscape, and temperatures. There is a place very close to where I am from and yet it’s not easily accessible, so not everyone gets a chance to see it…Chinese Hat. This location has very pristine lava flows and the clear waters on this early morning were just as warm as a hot tub and were teeming with life. We began our day’s activities with a Zodiac ride and kayaking along the shore.
Back at the ship we donned our wetsuits, collected our snorkel bags and headed out. Everyone saw many species of schooling fish including the handsome King angels, the gray yellow-tailed razor fish, and small red cardinal fish. We were entertained by the one and only penguin that whizzed below us and around us chasing after tiny fish. Marine iguanas are hard to locate and photograph underwater, but some of our guests watched this unique reptile as they grazed on the submarine algae pastures. We were reluctant to leave this picturesque and private beach. After all, when and where does one ever have a beach to one’s self these days?
Once back on the ship we enjoyed a hearty buffet lunch. Following lunch, Lynn entertained our guests with an amazing lecture, definitely a highlight. At 4pm our guests set out to hike the unique lava flow of Sullivan Bay, a formation that is approximately 190 years old, a blink in geological time. Believe it or not, pioneer plant species are prolific here despite the extremely high temperatures and lack of fresh water.
It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by this unique landscape.
