Santiago Island, 12/5/2024, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
Today we enjoyed the island of Santiago. In the morning, we explored Buccaneer Cove by kayak, snorkeling, and even by glass bottom boat.
In the afternoon we visited Puerto Egas. The landscape today was full of wildlife and amazing geological formations that offered great opportunities for photography, conversations, and good memories with our dear guests.
Javier grew up on Santa Cruz island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.
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Santa Cruz Island is the most inhabited island in the Galapagos and the economic capital of the Galapagos Archipelago. Puerto Ayora, the main town, is friendly and safe and the island itself has lots to offer visitors. Today we visited a few of these places. Early in the morning we went to El Trapiche Ecologico, a farm where they produce their goods in the most artisanal way possible. Their coffee, chocolate, and moonshine are amazingly good, using techniques from the olden days. We also explored Los Gemelos, two sinkholes surrounded by a forest formed by endemic trees, and then we rode to Manzanillo Farm where we were greeted with a delicious lunch and giant tortoises In the afternoon we went to see the rearing center for giant tortoises back in Puerto Ayora and then returned to National Geographic Islander II for dinner and a show.
Isabela Island is the largest and most active island in the Galapagos. Our journey took us deep into the heart of the Sierra Negra Volcano. We hiked across the vast caldera’s lava fields and felt the air grow thick with the scent of sulfur and mystery. Isabela is an island of contrasts where every step tells a story. This was not just a visit, it was a voyage in the wild Galapagos!
The sunrise was spectacular today! It was a pleasant morning to explore the magical wildlife present on South Plaza Island, an uplifted area full of endemic species. As soon as we disembarked on a little pier, dozens of sea lions came to say welcome. Just a few yards inland, many land and marine iguanas shared the same ecosystem with seabirds, such as swallow-tailed gulls and pelicans. Along the cliff we saw frigates, boobies, shearwaters, tropic birds, and petrels gliding along. After breakfast, our guests enjoyed kayaking and swimming from National Geographic Islander II , while others took part in a stretching session with our wellness specialist on board. In the afternoon, we motored to Santa Fe Island to snorkel with sea lions. Our guests were astonished to encounter these creatures and so many multicolor fish so close that we felt part of their aquatic world. Later, we disembarked on a very small beach which is home to a colony of sea lions. Further inland we spotted some Santa Fe land iguanas resting at the foot of giant prickly pear cacti. It was an amazing day! Galapagos is a breathtaking place.
