Bartolomé & Santiago Islands
This is our first full day trip after the National Geographic Islander came back from dry dock in Panama. The ship was wonderfully refurbished. Engine room, shiny floors, new rugs, renewed cabins, new reception area, kitchen, dining room etc show the hard work that was made. The National Geographic Islander is prettier than ever and ready to travel around the Galápagos seas carrying sweet emotions and happy dreams on our expeditions.
At six o’clock we started our day with an optional wake up call. Our courageous guests climbed up a wooden stairway to reach the top of the eroded crater of Bartolomé Island. Once on the summit, the best volcanic landscape you can imagine was observed. The fascinating volcanic formations were explained and photographed provoking lots of smiles and expressions of joy and admiration. The Flora of this little island is well represented by some pioneer plants such as Tiquilia sp and Chamaesyse sp, lava cacti and Scalesia trees were observed as well. Little animal that inhabitants of the area, lava lizards, Galápagos snakes and Galápagos painted locusts highlighted our visit. Once on board, after breakfast, our Expedition Leader Carlos Romero briefed us about the art of snorkeling in Galápagos. After the briefing, we were all geared up for snorkeling. Once on the shores of Bartolome Islands we were impressed by the abundance of wildlife, Sally Lightfoot crabs, Galápagos penguins, Brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and Galápagos marine iguanas were seen everywhere. Many of us had a great time snorkeling seeing the fascinating underwater realms that Charles Darwin didn’t see.
The National Geographic Islander gently moved to another island while we had a magnificent typical Ecuadorian lunch. The afternoon stroll was a happy walk along the shores of the coasts of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island. The afternoon highlights were the numerous and different species of birds we saw, sander lings, sandpipers, oystercatchers, whimbrels, finches, yellow warblers, etc. The birds were sharing their time with marine iguanas and fur seals. It was definitely a complete and spectacular first full day in this paradise!
This is our first full day trip after the National Geographic Islander came back from dry dock in Panama. The ship was wonderfully refurbished. Engine room, shiny floors, new rugs, renewed cabins, new reception area, kitchen, dining room etc show the hard work that was made. The National Geographic Islander is prettier than ever and ready to travel around the Galápagos seas carrying sweet emotions and happy dreams on our expeditions.
At six o’clock we started our day with an optional wake up call. Our courageous guests climbed up a wooden stairway to reach the top of the eroded crater of Bartolomé Island. Once on the summit, the best volcanic landscape you can imagine was observed. The fascinating volcanic formations were explained and photographed provoking lots of smiles and expressions of joy and admiration. The Flora of this little island is well represented by some pioneer plants such as Tiquilia sp and Chamaesyse sp, lava cacti and Scalesia trees were observed as well. Little animal that inhabitants of the area, lava lizards, Galápagos snakes and Galápagos painted locusts highlighted our visit. Once on board, after breakfast, our Expedition Leader Carlos Romero briefed us about the art of snorkeling in Galápagos. After the briefing, we were all geared up for snorkeling. Once on the shores of Bartolome Islands we were impressed by the abundance of wildlife, Sally Lightfoot crabs, Galápagos penguins, Brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and Galápagos marine iguanas were seen everywhere. Many of us had a great time snorkeling seeing the fascinating underwater realms that Charles Darwin didn’t see.
The National Geographic Islander gently moved to another island while we had a magnificent typical Ecuadorian lunch. The afternoon stroll was a happy walk along the shores of the coasts of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island. The afternoon highlights were the numerous and different species of birds we saw, sander lings, sandpipers, oystercatchers, whimbrels, finches, yellow warblers, etc. The birds were sharing their time with marine iguanas and fur seals. It was definitely a complete and spectacular first full day in this paradise!
