Sombrero Chino and Bartolome are two of the smallest and most beautiful islands in the archipelago, lying just off the eastern tip of Santiago Island. The two islands are the eroded remains of tuff cones, formed after huge of eruptions occurred many years ago. Early in the morning, we set foot on Bartolome; the wooden steps led us inland, observing a spectacular volcanic landscape and dramatic examples of ropy lava with hundreds of small spatter cones, forming a surrealistic landscape that makes this small place unique.
The island itself and the nearby Santiago Island have geological features that make the region so fascinating to visitors, due to the different types of lava, volcanic ash and the different colors on the rocks, evidence of an active volcanic past. Later on we disembarked on the golden beach for a short stroll and snorkeling. The water at this time of the year is warm and calm and very inviting to explore the underwater realm. The sea that surrounds the Galápagos is teeming with life of different regions of the Pacific Ocean, due to the convergence of several major currents. Here we encountered myriads of tropical reef fish such as white-tipped reef sharks, sting rays and the ever charming and exceptional Galápagos penguins.
In the afternoon we repositioned the National Geographic Endeavour II off the coast of Santiago Island and shortly afterwards we headed to the shore of Sombrero Chino for a variety of activities such as snorkeling and Zodiac rides. The snorkeling was great; we were surrounded by tropical fish from the beginning to the end, observing sharks, spotted eagle rays, marbled sting rays and some terns trying to catch small salemas from the surface.
At the end of the day in the calm shallow waters around Sombrero Chino, we had a stunning encounter with Galápagos penguins resting on shore ready to settle for the night. At the end of the white beach, we were witnesses of a unique event; a female Galapagos sea lion giving birth a beautiful baby sea lion; we could see the happiness of that mother observing her baby, pushing it and feeding with all love that a mother can provide. With the last beams of sun, we returned back onboard, with the best memories of another incredible day in this natural paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
