Sombrero Chino & Santiago Islands
Today we continued our expedition in a completely different location. This morning we dropped anchor at a bay in between Chinese Hat and Santiago Island. This secluded bay is excellent spot for Zodiac rides and snorkeling activities as well.
The water was very calm and the colors were impressive because the sun rays were still low in the horizon; a perfect time of the day for snorkeling. At this location the geology is very impressive with many different geological features, such as lava flow and tuff and spatter cones everywhere we looked, and the colonization of the flora and fauna is just in full progress. This landscape is one of the best for a Zodiac ride and photographing animals in action.
Snorkeling at this area was also spectacular because large aggregations of fish feed at this location. We also have a small group of Galápagos penguins, Galápagos sea lions, rays and sharks to make even more exciting this activity in one of the largest marine reserves in our planet.
As we were leaving the bay we got close to one of the Bainbridge tuff cones. Inside its caldera there are good conditions for a few lagoon birds, such as white chick pintail ducks, common stilts and the famous pink flamingos.
After sailing for two hours we got to Sullivan Bay at Santiago Island. This island was very important for Charles Darwin because he spent 11 out the 19 day he spent in Galápagos here.
This afternoon we had the same experience Darwin had when he came aboard the Beagle in 1835. As we were exploring everyone had the feeling that they were the first one setting foot in a place so isolated and away from civilization. This made us wander how the species were able to adapt to these harsh conditions to become the Galápagos endemic animals of this paradise.
