In honor of Valentine's Day, this week's photos from the field feature romantic sunrises and sunsets from Vietnam and Baja California, animal courtships in the Galápagos, and undersea heart-hands in French Polynesia.
With a very relaxing kayak outing in the morning at Espumilla Bay, on the north side of Santiago, our day started. We also enjoyed a very relaxing snorkeling excursion and a Zodiac ride. We followed this up with an interesting visit to Buccaneer Cove. In the afternoon, we concluded a beautiful week on board with a stop at Puerto Egas Beach where we relaxed a bit then strolled along the coast, checking on waders and fur sea lions.
Santa Cruz Island is the largest inhabited island in the archipelago and perhaps the most diverse. The contrast between nature and culture makes it a very interesting and fascinating place. In the morning, we visited the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and observed the young tortoises that will later be repatriated to their island of origin. As we walked into town, we encountered sea lions intermingling with humans, then we had a great lunch at the Bahia Mar restaurant along the waterfront. We spent the afternoon in the highlands where we visited a local family-run sugarcane plantation. We had the opportunity to taste some of their products such as sugarcane honey, molasses, taffy, and moonshine. This was a very rich experience where our guests learned how people live in the Galapagos and shared a little bit of their daily lives. We finished this interesting day by visiting giant tortoises in their natural habitat as well as a few birds, including mockingbirds, pintail ducks, moorhens, and finches.
We arrived at Santa Cruz Island with clear skies and bright sunshine. We experienced the humid and vibrant green of the island while visiting the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Foundation, learning about the conservation efforts these two institutions have contributed over the years working together. Later, we were welcomed by some of the farmers in the highlands, and in the afternoon, we immersed ourselves in the habitat of the Giant tortoises which are the emblematic animal of this enchanted island. Photos by Christian Villaroel and Paola Luque
We returned to the center of the Galapagos Archipelago and had the chance to explore the western region of Santiago Island. This morning, we headed to Puerto Egas on a pre-breakfast outing to explore the coast then venture inland. We snorkeled twice today and had a great time observing the underwater world with several unique species. In the afternoon, we headed towards Buccaneer Cove to go snorkeling, kayaking, and had a coastal exploration to look for wildlife and appreciate incredible landscapes.
This morning, we embarked on an early skiff excursion along the tranquil waters of the Iricahua Stream. The stillness of the morning was accompanied by the gentle sounds of the rainforest awakening. After a brief and refreshing rainshower, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast aboard the skiffs. The experience of dining amidst such natural beauty, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Amazon, was truly unforgettable. We avoided the warmest hours of the day while enjoying various presentations on board. Isaac, a Delfin II bartender, taught us how to prepare Pisco sours and also gave us dancing lessons. In the afternoon, we went for a guided walk in the Yanallpa area. The highlight was an encounter with the elusive pygmy marmoset, the world’s smallest monkey. We observed these tiny primates as they nimbly navigated the trees, their curious eyes watching us as intently as we watched them. This rare sighting offered a profound connection to the rich biodiversity of the Amazon.
