Bartolomé & Santiago Islands
The brief spark of sunlight early in the morning was very motivating for our guests who decided in favor of the earliest of our visits in the Galápagos. To get to the summit of Bartolomé is not difficult at all, but is striking for the first timer to climb the 376 steps uphill on their first day. The scenery at the top is really rewarding, and even a little bit of fantasy came to our minds when we checked the place where some of the footage of the movie Master and Commander was shot.
During the snorkeling session we admired the impressive presence of the bull sea lion which acts as a tenant of part of the beach. We were not to disagree with such a beast and stayed a little far from it. Underwater we were transported to a different dimension. Penguins, sharks and a zillion fish surrounded us in a synchrony much better displayed than in any of the best ballet companies.
At Puerto Egas on Santiago Island, we came upon remnants of the time of the salt mine operation, but instead of sadness we felt very happy to know that nothing like that is happening nowadays. We got close to the fur seals and witnessed the marine iguanas scraping some of the algae growing on the rocks. It was low tide and together with the iguanas, several species of shore birds and sea birds mingled around as well as perfectly adapted land birds such as finches and yellow warblers, eating little marine critters along the coast.
It's late now and even though we would prefer not to, it is time to leave. Nothing is gone with the wind, and tomorrow… well tomorrow will be a new day to experience more wonders.
The brief spark of sunlight early in the morning was very motivating for our guests who decided in favor of the earliest of our visits in the Galápagos. To get to the summit of Bartolomé is not difficult at all, but is striking for the first timer to climb the 376 steps uphill on their first day. The scenery at the top is really rewarding, and even a little bit of fantasy came to our minds when we checked the place where some of the footage of the movie Master and Commander was shot.
During the snorkeling session we admired the impressive presence of the bull sea lion which acts as a tenant of part of the beach. We were not to disagree with such a beast and stayed a little far from it. Underwater we were transported to a different dimension. Penguins, sharks and a zillion fish surrounded us in a synchrony much better displayed than in any of the best ballet companies.
At Puerto Egas on Santiago Island, we came upon remnants of the time of the salt mine operation, but instead of sadness we felt very happy to know that nothing like that is happening nowadays. We got close to the fur seals and witnessed the marine iguanas scraping some of the algae growing on the rocks. It was low tide and together with the iguanas, several species of shore birds and sea birds mingled around as well as perfectly adapted land birds such as finches and yellow warblers, eating little marine critters along the coast.
It's late now and even though we would prefer not to, it is time to leave. Nothing is gone with the wind, and tomorrow… well tomorrow will be a new day to experience more wonders.
