Bartolomé & Santiago Islands
Today we started our expedition very early in the morning. We wanted to enjoy as much as possible our last full day discovering the wonderful Galápagos archipelago. We disembarked on Bartolomé Island, an open book of geology. The volcanic landscape observed around this small island is stunning. After climbing up 372 steps we reached the summit located at 374 feet above sea level. From this height we had a privileged view from this lookout point. We took as many pictures we could, and the light was almost perfect. After the walk we went back for a well deserved breakfast in our home for the week, our beloved National Geographic Polaris. After breakfast we continued with our activities. We landed on a golden beach at the base of the world famous Pinnacle Rock. We practiced snorkeling in calm turquoise waters; the diversity of marine life in this site is phenomenal. We spotted several sharks and some guests had the thrill to snorkel with Galápagos penguins!
Some of us opted for a short hike across the island on sand dunes where we found a second beach that was full of life and beauty. In the afternoon during our lunch we set sail to Puerto Egas, a paradisiacal bay located on the northwestern part of Santiago Island. We landed on a black sandy beach where our guests were offered the possibility of snorkeling and a wonderful final walk along the coastline of Puerto Egas. Our photography group had a great time taking pictures. In Puerto Egas we encountered many Galápagos sea lions, fur seals and marine iguanas resting on lava fields. During the walk we could see some of the volcanoes of Isabela Island in the distance. We put a lot of attention on these volcanoes for we received news about a volcanic eruption that just started on Isabela Island. We could not see signs of activity at day time. We left the island with the company of an idyllical sunset. It was hard to leave!
Finally everyone went back on board, a little nostalgic but with their hearts and minds filled with love and appreciation for this paradise we call the Galápagos. We had a final surprise we headed to Isabela Island with the intention to see a little bit of the volcanic eruption that is taking place on Cerro Azul. We were successful! We could see with amazement the orange and red reflection of the hot lava on the clouds in the middle of the dark night. What we felt was hard to describe! It was amazing to observe such an event. All the impressions we accumulate this week are so intense, so vivid. You may leave these magical islands tomorrow but the islands will never leave you.
Today we started our expedition very early in the morning. We wanted to enjoy as much as possible our last full day discovering the wonderful Galápagos archipelago. We disembarked on Bartolomé Island, an open book of geology. The volcanic landscape observed around this small island is stunning. After climbing up 372 steps we reached the summit located at 374 feet above sea level. From this height we had a privileged view from this lookout point. We took as many pictures we could, and the light was almost perfect. After the walk we went back for a well deserved breakfast in our home for the week, our beloved National Geographic Polaris. After breakfast we continued with our activities. We landed on a golden beach at the base of the world famous Pinnacle Rock. We practiced snorkeling in calm turquoise waters; the diversity of marine life in this site is phenomenal. We spotted several sharks and some guests had the thrill to snorkel with Galápagos penguins!
Some of us opted for a short hike across the island on sand dunes where we found a second beach that was full of life and beauty. In the afternoon during our lunch we set sail to Puerto Egas, a paradisiacal bay located on the northwestern part of Santiago Island. We landed on a black sandy beach where our guests were offered the possibility of snorkeling and a wonderful final walk along the coastline of Puerto Egas. Our photography group had a great time taking pictures. In Puerto Egas we encountered many Galápagos sea lions, fur seals and marine iguanas resting on lava fields. During the walk we could see some of the volcanoes of Isabela Island in the distance. We put a lot of attention on these volcanoes for we received news about a volcanic eruption that just started on Isabela Island. We could not see signs of activity at day time. We left the island with the company of an idyllical sunset. It was hard to leave!
Finally everyone went back on board, a little nostalgic but with their hearts and minds filled with love and appreciation for this paradise we call the Galápagos. We had a final surprise we headed to Isabela Island with the intention to see a little bit of the volcanic eruption that is taking place on Cerro Azul. We were successful! We could see with amazement the orange and red reflection of the hot lava on the clouds in the middle of the dark night. What we felt was hard to describe! It was amazing to observe such an event. All the impressions we accumulate this week are so intense, so vivid. You may leave these magical islands tomorrow but the islands will never leave you.
