San Cristobal Island
This morning I woke up in high spirits, eager to explore San Cristobal Island. Our last full day in our expedition around the magical Galápagos Archipielago started with an invigorating hike to the summit of a volcanic plateau at Punta Pitt.
The first part of the hike to the plateau is considered a strenuous one, for we have to climb up a very old eroded ridge, but once you arrive at the top and enjoy the extraordinary view, you can easily realize that every single step was worth the effort. Further along the trail it is posiible to admire a surreal volcanic landscape with large patches of bright red carpetweed (Sesuvium spp) and green patches of nolana (Nolana galapagensis), both succulent plants, and several patches of the rather dull, in comparison, gray mat plants (Tiquilia spp.), creating together with the golden ocre yellow of the surroundings a colorful and impressive mosaic that is hard to describe with words. In fact this view is so impressive that several guests who were with me on the hike this morning mentioned that this hike was their favorite of the week.
We had the option to go for Zodiac rides instead of the hike as well. Many seabirds were seen, together with Galápagos sea lions, on the volcanic rocky outcrops of the coastline and surrounding islets.
After the hike or the Zodiac ride we had the wonderrful opportunities to go in the water for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean or just to spend time on the beach relaxing or sunbathing. A large group of Galápagos sea lions live on this beach; they were admired and photographed while we visited their home. Curious San Cristobal mockingbirds were seen all over as well; some followed us on the trail while others tried unsuccesfully to steal some water from our bottles.
After this succesful morning, and during lunch, we sailed towards Leon Dormido or “Kicker Rock.” This magnificent offshore eroded volcanic tuff cone, located on the western coast of San Cristobal Island, is one the most-well known volcanic trademarks of the Galápagos and one of the most photopraphed as well.
We had a couple of activities: a big group of snorkel enthusiasts jumped in the water at the base of the huge cliffs of Kicker Rock to be part of a spectacular snorkeling outing among many colorful schools of fish, dozens of sea turtles and occasional curious sharks that added a dose of adventorous adrenaline to their observers. Once the snorkelers came back on board, we enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon with drinks on the foredeck of the ship while circumnavigating Kicker Rock. Around dinner time we arrived to our final anchorage in front of the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, political capital of the Galápagos Islands, which are a province of my country, the Republic of Ecuador.
The expedition this week around the world-renowned Galápagos Islands has come to an end, but hopefully all the passion, admiration and love that this enchanted group of islands evokes in our vistors’ hearts and minds will be part of their lives forever.
