San Cristobal
This great week in the Galápagos is coming to an end, but still we have a few adventures waiting. After breakfast we were ready to head out and enjoy the wonders of Punta Pitt at the northern point of this island. After loading the boats we set out on a short ride along the coast—birds, sea lions, some marine iguanas, and other creatures come across our way.
A wet landing at a brownish beach with many sea lions marked the beginning of our expedition into the island to see interesting geological formations and some animals that can only be found on this island. San Cristobal lava lizards and mockingbirds came to pose for the paparazzi at almost every step. Many Darwin finches were hopping around, too.
After walking through a riverbed formed by heavy rains in the past and present, we reached a vantage point from where we could see the ocean and the beach with all those sea lion starting to move around.
Following an ashy path we finally got to a location where red-footed boobies nest. There were a few, but that was enough to see how beautiful they are with their incredible red feet and striking blue beaks. Some of them were still in their fluffy coats waiting for their parents to come back with a meal from an ocean rich in fish of all kinds.
At our return to the beach sea lions were still there as if they were asked to entertain us in many different ways like posing for pictures, barking, swimming like dolphins and so forth. After a great morning at Punta Pitt we returned to the ship for a break and for lunch to recover from all the action we do out on these exciting excursions.
The afternoon arrived and after a recovery siesta and we were ready for the last underwater outing of the week and a very promising one in terms of sharks—this is one of those crazy areas where we are likely to see more than at any other places.
As soon as we entered the water we saw them, some very close as they are more curious than they are dangerous. Here we respect them so much and give them the space and protection they need as they the rulers of the ocean. A group of eagle rays were drifting underneath our feet as we drifted along through a channel in between two rocks that make the island of Kicker Rock.
A great sunset concluded this beautiful day and this incredible week in this paradise called the Galápagos Islands.