This is the island you first see as you fly into the Galapagos because it is the closest to the mainland and one of the oldest of the group. It has many attractions - beautiful beaches with different types of sand, interesting wildlife, and an outstanding landscape. Punta Pitt is the place where we spend our morning doing different activities. We hike up a hill entirely made of volcanic ash which forms as the ascending lava meets water. The trail is almost all naturally formed as rain water runs downhill after precipitation, especially during El Nino events. Two species of animals are found only here so they have the name of the island as their first name – the San Cristobal lava lizard and the San Cristobal mockingbird, both among Darwin’s first sightings during his visit in 1835.
We reach the top of hill to enjoy an incredible view of the area, and the beach with sea lions. Birds fly around doing all sort of calls, diving like crazy, collecting nesting material, and others just watching us.
The end of the trail is spectacular due to mostly red-orange vegetation called Portulaca, and around this area we find the nests of red footed-boobies. Some sitting in the nests with their chicks, and others just starting out with their breeding. We could take very good pictures of them here, they are all so beautiful.
At our return to the beach we met the sea lions again, and again we were captivated by their friendship, elegance, and beauty. Just being close to them is worth it a trip, they can just change the way we see the animals all over the world, some of which are not given the respect they deserve.
After this exciting hike we can’t wait to jump in the water to cool off, and so we went for it!
The afternoon arrived and we are at a different location, Kicker Rock. This an outstanding monument of creational volcanic force in the middle of nowhere. Rising several feet above the water, it’s a place where birds rest, sleep, and nest.
The water around here is an invitation to enjoy the Galapagos underwater realm. It’s fascinating marine life, filled with turtles and sharks of different sorts. Here sharks are friendly creatures, easily approached, and swimming here with them makes us forget the fear of them that we have wrongly build up. Galapagos sharks, black-tipped reef sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, and others, all just underneath our feet, was an amazing experience, especially for those who are are afraid of them. Also some elegant eagle rays came to give us moments of joy with their beauty.
The end of the day came with the sun going down the horizon, and us on the ship circumnavigating the rock taking pictures of landscape, birds, and ourselves.
It’s a wonderful day in the Galapagos.
