Having traveled northbound during the night, we arrived in Sombrero Chino in the early morning hours. This odd-shaped island is separated from Santiago, the fourth largest island of the archipelago, by a narrow, shallow channel. In 1897, a large eruption produced volumes of lava that extended the southeastern coast of Santiago, annexing some nearby satellite islands. The result is a vast and stunning volcanic landscape with little vegetation cover.
In the afternoon, we dropped anchor in Sullivan Bay, a short distance from Sombrero Chino. The area was formed by the same eruption over a hundred years ago. Exploring this location is an unforgettable experience; with every step we could observe beautiful formations left by the path of flowing lava. Texture of solidified lava is determined by its temperature. Smooth, ropey-looking lava is called pahoehoe, and a more jagged texture is known as A-A. The beauty of this area with its ochre colors and fresh craters and cones makes this an iconic panorama of the Enchanted Isles.
