Bartolomé & Santiago Islands
Early in the morning we started our optional hike 359 feet up Bartolomé Island; at the summit we were rewarded by an impressive landscape - the world famous pinnacle rock, which was right in front of our eyes. This is the most photographed landscape of the archipelago; its formed of compacted volcanic ash. It will slowly erode to the ground as time passes by, so we consider ourselves lucky to observe this majestic volcanic feature in its present form.
Back on board, and soon after breakfast, we started our water activities. We went swimming and snorkeling in warm water and experienced a close encounter with tropical and subtropical fish, sea lions and even sharks; what an impression this encounter left on our guests this warm, sunny morning.
The National Geographic Islander repositions to our next visitor site while we enjoy a succulent typical Ecuadorian lunch with an impressive array of color, spices and flavors.
We arrived on Santiago Island (or James Island, as you might know it) for a wet landing on a black sand beach; we snorkeled while surrounded by surreal walls of eroded tuff formations! It was like someone carved this wonderful volcanic ash cliff for us to see these compacted lines, and it was just breathtaking. Here we also had a walk by the rocky shoreline enjoying all kinds of species living or visiting this wonderful place.
Animals present included marine iguanas, sea lions, oystercatchers, and Sally Lightfoot crabs, to mention a few; it is not just the ecology but also its geological features, like the grottoes. Lava formations appear to be frozen in time for us to walk over and see a poetry of arrangements from mother nature; some places have collapsed sections, allowing waves from the mighty ocean to make a geyser-like visual and aural display of power.
It has been a wonderful full day and this is just the beginning of our expedition. There are so many adventures waiting for us, we can’t wait for what is next.
Early in the morning we started our optional hike 359 feet up Bartolomé Island; at the summit we were rewarded by an impressive landscape - the world famous pinnacle rock, which was right in front of our eyes. This is the most photographed landscape of the archipelago; its formed of compacted volcanic ash. It will slowly erode to the ground as time passes by, so we consider ourselves lucky to observe this majestic volcanic feature in its present form.
Back on board, and soon after breakfast, we started our water activities. We went swimming and snorkeling in warm water and experienced a close encounter with tropical and subtropical fish, sea lions and even sharks; what an impression this encounter left on our guests this warm, sunny morning.
The National Geographic Islander repositions to our next visitor site while we enjoy a succulent typical Ecuadorian lunch with an impressive array of color, spices and flavors.
We arrived on Santiago Island (or James Island, as you might know it) for a wet landing on a black sand beach; we snorkeled while surrounded by surreal walls of eroded tuff formations! It was like someone carved this wonderful volcanic ash cliff for us to see these compacted lines, and it was just breathtaking. Here we also had a walk by the rocky shoreline enjoying all kinds of species living or visiting this wonderful place.
Animals present included marine iguanas, sea lions, oystercatchers, and Sally Lightfoot crabs, to mention a few; it is not just the ecology but also its geological features, like the grottoes. Lava formations appear to be frozen in time for us to walk over and see a poetry of arrangements from mother nature; some places have collapsed sections, allowing waves from the mighty ocean to make a geyser-like visual and aural display of power.
It has been a wonderful full day and this is just the beginning of our expedition. There are so many adventures waiting for us, we can’t wait for what is next.
