The wind was strong as we came around the corner and steered into our anchorage off Punta Pitt. It is the easternmost corner of the easternmost island of the archipelago of Galapagos. This island is the oldest of the islands that remain above the sea. Evidence has been found that millions of years earlier other islands existed, but they have been dragged eastward by the tectonic plate of Nazca (which crawls along at the same rate our fingernails grow) towards the continent of South America. There the ocean floor sinks slowly down into a trench, subducted into the mantle once more to be recycled all over again.
Back on the surface, we spent the morning in one last hurrah – a vigorous 320 foot hike up a boulder-strewn ravine and out onto a plateau where the wind threatened to remove any piece of clothing not firmly tied down. At the far end of the trail lies an expansive colony of red-footed boobies. Off shore, closer to the ship, is a rock known as “Pitt Rock”, where loads of species of sea birds have been identified. The birds use it as a resting spot, roosting spot or breeding spot. Magnificent frigate birds, great frigate birds, red-billed tropicbirds, Galapagos shearwaters, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, Galapagos storm petrels, Nazca boobies and blue-footed boobies were found here today and also noted by those that went for a Zodiac ride instead of the hefty hike up into the hills.
By late morning, many people were in the water which was a great vantage point to appreciate the sparkle of the beach itself – sand with olivine crystals almost too small to see, but large enough to reflect light. Some of our Young Explorers took us up on an offer to learn how to drive a Zodiac. For the next half-hour we could see them zooming around, taking tight turns, hair flying in the wind (don’t worry, there were adults present – plus Greg).
The afternoon brought us to Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock, as it is known in English. It is a massive remnant of tuffcone surrounded by deep water. Very deep water, over 200-feet..
Our destination for our last snorkel looked totally awesome, especially when seen from the diminutive perspective of a Zodiac at water level. That didn’t faze the adventurous snorkelers at all, so off we went and what a trip! We witnessed black-tipped sharks, spotted eagle rays, mustard rays, many, many green sea turtles, and one briefly-glimpsed hammerhead shark.
To celebrate our magnificent final day – and the whole week, truth be told – we had cocktail hour upstairs on the sky deck. The sun broke through the clouds as they drifted away and the moon rose almost full as we circumnavigated around Leon Dormido with Captain Jaramillo at the helm.
It was a week to be remembered, through memories, photographs and emotions. This voyage was a fabulous way to start a new year.
