We dropped anchor off the coast of Bartholomew Island. . This area has been subject to violent eruptions, and although these events date back from at least a century through several dozens of centuries, the topography makes one think it was only yesterday.
Volcanic features get preserved relatively long in Galapagos, for the climate is relatively stable and therefore maintains current conditions of the tuffs, basalts and cinders for many centuries to come.
This island is located, just north of an enormous lava flow. Small cones are found along the trail and an amazing geology to learn for the morning.
After we are back on board for breakfast, there is a new outing, this time to a small golden colored beach where we will snorkel in clear, calm water. It makes great conditions to admire the wide variety of corals and reef fish; many of the white tipped reef sharks were found sleeping within some caves, and even a Galapagos penguin, although the latter is for many snorkelers too swift to follow.
During lunch the ship moves towards our stop, a small island called Chinese Hat. The same stark volcanic features dominate our view, and once more we head out for snorkeling. This time many of us have a more lasting encounter with penguins, since there are several in the calm waters, seemingly careless about our presence, hunting the small anchovies that litter our underwater view.
After an amazing day of Galapagos penguins, incredible snorkeling outings and breathtaking sunsets, we retrieved to our mother ship to continue our exploration.
