Bartolome Island
Bartolome is located sixteen nautical miles below the equator line, in the central part of the Galápagos archipelago. It is the geographical heart of the “Encantadas,” and as such, it has species from both hemispheres and from very different climates.
Early in the morning we experienced the dryness and youth of Bartolome. We walked among lava flows and spatter cones. We found pioneer plants, like the lava cactus and the gray matplant. Their chief function is to colonize young islands, without much water or soil.
Breakfast was a special affair. We could enjoy omelettes and French toast surrounded by the spectacular view of the island. After breakfast we saw Galápagos penguins, which are the northern most penguins in the world. Together with the penguins we found white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions, and on land we spotted a Galápagos hawk and a couple of American oystercatchers. This is life colonizing an island in the middle of the Galápagos, life that has arrived from different latitudes and has been able to establish here.
We spent the afternoon on Santiago Island, where we snorkeled first, to then do a walk that had it all. The shoreline of this island was like a summary of the many species and landscapes that we have encountered in this archipelago. At the end of the hike, every one had had the opportunity to think about this week on board the Polaris. Our guests are going back home as happier people. They leave the islands more aware of the conservation needs in our planet, but also with the certainty that there is a place in the Pacific where good things are happening.
Bartolome is located sixteen nautical miles below the equator line, in the central part of the Galápagos archipelago. It is the geographical heart of the “Encantadas,” and as such, it has species from both hemispheres and from very different climates.
Early in the morning we experienced the dryness and youth of Bartolome. We walked among lava flows and spatter cones. We found pioneer plants, like the lava cactus and the gray matplant. Their chief function is to colonize young islands, without much water or soil.
Breakfast was a special affair. We could enjoy omelettes and French toast surrounded by the spectacular view of the island. After breakfast we saw Galápagos penguins, which are the northern most penguins in the world. Together with the penguins we found white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions, and on land we spotted a Galápagos hawk and a couple of American oystercatchers. This is life colonizing an island in the middle of the Galápagos, life that has arrived from different latitudes and has been able to establish here.
We spent the afternoon on Santiago Island, where we snorkeled first, to then do a walk that had it all. The shoreline of this island was like a summary of the many species and landscapes that we have encountered in this archipelago. At the end of the hike, every one had had the opportunity to think about this week on board the Polaris. Our guests are going back home as happier people. They leave the islands more aware of the conservation needs in our planet, but also with the certainty that there is a place in the Pacific where good things are happening.
