San Cristobal Island
After a long night cruising the peaceful Pacific Ocean we arrived at San Cristobal Island, which is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago, and one of the oldest geologically. Its Spanish official Ecuadorian name "San Cristóbal" comes from the patron saint of seafarers, St. Christopher. San Cristóbal has an area of 558 km2 (215 sq mi) and its highest point rises up to 730 metres (2,400 ft).
The morning outing took place at Punta Pitt, we did a short Zodiac ride to explore the wonder of the tuff coastline of this old island; we desembarked at a pristine beach to explore the interior of the island. Small canyons took us to the summit of the mountain where we spotted a diversity of unique species endemic to this particuar area. For example, Chatam mockingbird, San cristobal lava lizard, and scalesia incisa were sighted. Further inland the path led us to a stunning view of Punta Pitt coastline, red-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies were pointed out in this unique walk. The morning expedition ended at an inorganic beach that is made of small crystal known as olivine. We see a green shine to the beach due to the presence of these microscopic crystals. Our guests and specially our youngest explorers enjoined the beach while inmature sealions swan around them.
Exploring the underwater realm ended a day full of expectations…the National Geographic Islander took us to our last activity of the day at Kicker Rock, better known as Leon Dormido. We geared up for aquatic activities. The magical underwater kingdom gave us a unique experience in our last snorkeling of the week. As soon as we jumped into the water we spotted sea turtles and different kinds of fish that were grazing on algae that grow on the steep walls of Kicker Rock. Suddently, in a peaceful channel between two giant rocks, we found the unexpected: a school of hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, and eagle rays. Indescribable moments were shared between us while we circumnavegate Kicker Rock.
The end of this amazing and unforgatable day came with a rainbow while few Bryde’s whales and a calf disrupted the peaceful ocean surface and the sun set. Today we end our eighth day in the Galápagos Islands and tomorrow our guest will be leaving Galápagos, but the experiences gained during this week are not going to leave them.
