Bartolomé & James Bay

The morning began with a sunrise, obviously… but the splendid spectacle it offered was on everybody’s mouth and camera. The day announced itself as a beautiful one. And the early walk up to the top of Bartolomé Island confirmed this. A mutton-clouded sky offered a veil against the sun’s heat and afforded us an ideal time to visit. The staircase was soon climbed, and the landscape’s arid beauty amazed everyone. A snorkel that followed the walk showed us again what beauty Galapagos is capable of. The clear water reveals Bartolomé marine life at its best: penguins, shark, rays and a variety of fish competing in numbers and colors displayed. What a delightful morning of leisure, enjoyment and relaxation the island gave us!

While our captain and crew took us to James Bay, National Geographic Endeavour became the place for a forum about conservation. Why do we want to conserve? What does protecting an area really mean? Gálapagos and its significance was the topic of debate that afternoon.

And then came the moment for the last disembarkation of our expedition, James Bay. Santiago is my favorite island. Why? Well, you should come and see for yourself. How to describe the peacefulness and harmony it can inspire? How to tell of the astonishing turtles, fur seals, marine iguanas, and night herons with the people mingled among them? How to spell the respect of nature everybody felt at walking along the shore, facing the majestic highland of Santiago covered of golden clouds? Galapagos is a powerful place that can truly touch your soul.

This week of discovery provided us with so much beauty, and James Bay wrapped up our experience magnificently.