Meet two 2024 Grosvenor Teacher Fellows and watch how they’re translating their travel experiences into extraordinary learning opportunities back home.
Today’s expedition took us to two of the most visually stunning sites in the Galápagos, Bartolome Island and Chinese Hat, with each island offering a fascinating view into the archipelago’s volcanic past and unique wildlife. We began the morning exploring Bartolome Island, a landscape dominated by rugged lava fields, spatter cones, and the iconic Pinnacle Rock. The hike to the island’s summit rewarded us with panoramic views of the surrounding islands, showcasing the beauty of this young volcanic terrain. Along the trail, spatter cones, formed by past eruptions, stood as a testament to the island’s fiery origins with their reddish coloration contrasting against the black lava flows. Below, Pinnacle Rock rose dramatically from the sea, a striking geological feature shaped by time, wind, and waves. In the afternoon, we navigated to Chinese Hat where we were fortunate to witness an intimate moment in Galápagos wildlife, the courtship ritual of Galápagos penguins. These charismatic birds engaged in elegant mating behavior. Nearby, a sea lion mother was comfortably resting upon the rugged lava flow. From volcanic landscapes to rare wildlife encounters, today’s journey through Bartolome and Chinese Hat was a reminder of the incredible diversity and geological wonders of the Galápagos Archipelago.
We started the day with a skiff ride along Yanallpa Creek. We found four species of monkeys, several sloths, both scarlet and blue-yellow macaws, and my favorite bird so far, the cream woodpecker, among many others. After breakfast we walked along orchards in Yanallpa (which means black soil) to search for the smallest species of monkey in the world, and we were rewarded with several sightings. Later in the morning, we gathered for a hands-on culinary experience, preparing traditional Peruvian ceviche. Under the guidance of our skilled chef, we learned to marinate fresh fish in tangy lime juice, adding onions, cilantro, and a touch of chili to create this iconic dish. As dusk settled, we boarded skiffs for a nocturnal safari along the Dorado River. The transformation of the jungle at night was mesmerizing. Our guides expertly spotted caimans resting along the banks, their eyes reflecting our lights.
Today, we had the chance to spend our day among giants as we explored Santa Cruz Island to look for Galapagos giant tortoises. In the morning, we went to Fausto Llerena Breeding Center to observe Galapagos giant tortoises and saw several, from the very young to adults. This is the best opportunity to see the saddleback tortoise which is exclusive to the archipelago. After having lunch at a local restaurant, we got on a bus and headed to the highlands where we explored a local farm and looked for wild tortoises. We were surprised to find a couple mating tortoises and several juveniles and adults roaming the farm.
The first full day of our expedition started with a visit to the small and wonderful South Plaza Island, home to a variety of wildlife, including the famous Galapagos land iguana. It was so amazing to walk nearby this unique reptile while they were heating up their bodies with the first rays of sun. During this fun walk we also spotted different species of birds, such as swallowed-tailed gulls, Darwin’s finches, frigatebirds. The highlight was walking through the colony of Galapagos sea lions. These adorable mammals were resting on rocks, and some mothers were nursing their babies. Back on board National Geographic Islander II , a delicious breakfast was waiting for us so we could have energy for kayaking along the coast of this tiny island. The afternoon was adventurous and exciting, as our guests snorkeled inside the calm bay of Santa Fe, having the chance to play with Galapagos sea lions, different colorful fish, and even a Galapagos shark! Following this incredible adventure, we went ashore to the exclusive home of the Santa Fe land iguana. It was really fascinating to walk in a forest of gigantic Opuntia cactus looking for the iguana. And there it was!...light yellow, on top of a rock, receiving the last rays of sun. What an amazing day.
Today we awoke on National Geographic Sea Bird anchored in the Snake River near the confluence of the Palouse River. After a delicious breakfast, we headed to shore via Zodiac and landed on a beach at Lyons Ferry State Park where an eventful morning of exploration ensued. Some set out to admire the canyon via Zodiac, while others chose to paddle a kayak around the protected lagoon at the state park. A third option for exploration was to take the coach up to the rim of the canyon to appreciate the spring melt as it pours over the lip of the canyon in a dramatic waterfall. There were many wonderful bird sightings today, as well as five mule deer. This afternoon on board, we had two insightful presentations from Naturalist Kerri McAllister on the Missoula floods and from Wine Specialist Eric Degerman on wine production of the Pacific Northwest. The evening was spent cruising through dramatic clouds and low evening light, as well as brief rain, a hailstorm, and a huge rainbow. We’re looking forward to exploring Hells Canyon tomorrow via jet boat on the last day of the first expedition of this year’s spring season here on the Columbia and Snake River.
