Santiago Island, 12/4/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Today we anchored at one of the most beautiful islands of the Galápagos, a place where pirates and whalers stored water, food, and wood for their journeys across the Pacific Ocean. We landed early for a beach walk at Espumilla Beach where a spectacular blue-footed booby frenzy was taking place. They were all plunging at the same time! Later in the morning we had a chance to enjoy the ocean, having incredible encounters with giant mantas.
In the afternoon we changed locations to Puerto Egas where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset along the shores of the island.
Charles was raised in the Galápagos Islands. He is the grandson of Rolf Wittmer, the first person documented to have been born on the island of Floreana after his parents, Margret and Heinz Wittmer, emigrated from Germany in 1932.
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Our day started with a heavy rain, but that didn’t stop our visit to the most populated island. Early in the morning some of us decided to visit the Charles Darwin Breeding Center to learn about the programs that the Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Foundation share for the benefit of the wildlife in the archipelago. We observed the tortoise breeding program to recover populations that were decimated in the past due to human interaction (whalers, pirates, and introduced animals) that severely harmed this species to the point of extinction. After the visit, we gathered at a nice spot for a rehydrating drink and departed to different sites to get to know how Galapagueños make their living in agriculture. One group was taken to the hydroponic farm, and other groups were driven to El Trapiche, a sugarcane plantation. Once the visit was over, we had a wonderful lunch at another ranch in the highlands and afterward we took our official walk to observe the Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Finally, back in town we had a few hours to explore and find some souvenirs to take home.
As we started our very first expedition on board National Geographic Gemini, we began our first full day on Rábida Island, a two-cinder cone island comprised of a high iron-oxide pyroclastic material. Early in the morning, we had a wet landing and continued to explore the island, with its beautiful landscape of green leaves with white and yellow flowers. We also had the opportunity to see and photograph flamingos. Later in the afternoon, we navigated to Puerto Egas located on Santiago Island, full of mystery and history. Accompanied by a humid rain, we swam and snorkeled along the beach. We finished our day with a beautiful walk full of wildlife encounters along Santiago’s intertidal zone.
Today's expedition took us to two iconic locations on Española Island - Gardner Bay and Punta Suárez. First, we visited Gardner Bay where we were welcomed by a pristine white sandy beach, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and playful sea lions lounging along the shore. Afterward, we headed to Punta Suárez, famous for its towering cliffs and abundant wildlife. The trail led us through rugged terrain where we encountered blue-footed boobies, Española lava lizards, and numerous seabirds nesting on the cliffs. The diversity of wildlife and breathtaking landscapes made for an unforgettable experience, showcasing the natural beauty of this unique island.
