Bartolomé & Santiago Islands
There is nothing better than to wake up after a very comforting night’s sleep on board the National Geographic Endeavour, step out on deck, and find the impressive view of Bartolomé Island – monolithic, brutal, seeming eternal, yet wearing down slowly due to the action of natural elements.
A former portion of Santiago, this small island provides visitors a great opportunity to understand the geology of the archipelago. To swim in its usually crystal clear yet productive water, and to enjoy its orange colored warm sands, allows us a privilege reserved for a very few: those who have the good fortune of coming to these islands. The refreshing water allows the vivid experience of being surrounded by large sea stars and countless fish of all sorts. The unique landscape consolidates our appreciation of the innumerable shapes and colors of the basaltic lava, so dramatic and exquisite, yet so harsh and somehow unreal.
Three hours of navigation puts us on shore at Puerto Egas on Santiago Island. The intense black sand at the landing area is contrasted with all we have seen these past days. Soon after landing we are already impressed by the landscape, and being stared at by scores of iguanas make us feel weird. The fur seals enrapture us with their amusing appearance, and the oystercatchers surprise every one of our guests by just sitting on the rocks, totally oblivious of our presence. Another lesson provided by nature in this day- to-day display of the wild beauty called Galápagos.
