After a delicious breakfast with a traditional option of a plantain-based dish called "tigrillo,” we were fortified for today’s exploration of Santa Cruz’s western side. At Dragon Hill, we found an arid landscape much different from the humid highlands of Santa Cruz. Instead of a forest of asteraceas and giant tortoises, we came across many land iguanas. These terrestrial reptiles are related to marine iguanas, but they eat prickly pear and nest in burrows. Afterward, it was time to hit the water on Zodiacs, kayaks, and paddleboards. Off the coast of Santa Cruz, we encountered more wildlife, even a giant manta ray.
5/2/2024
Read
National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartolome and Sombrero Chino Islands
We awoke at sunrise and observed the majestic Bartolomé Island showered by the first sunrays of the morning. Our first hike of the day was invigorating, almost 400 steps to the summit of Bartolomé to appreciate the astonishing beauty of the surroundings. What an amazing view! We saw several parasitic volcanoes, an underwater crater, golden sandy beach, and the many shades of blue of the ocean. On our way back to National Geographic Endeavour II, we took a detour to search for the iconic Galapagos penguins and we found them. Yay! Our afternoon destination was Chinese Hat, a small island surrounded by lava fields, fine white sand, and crystal-clear waters. We went snorkeling and swimming and had more encounters with Galapagos penguins. They’re so fast, they look like they’re flying under the water. The day wouldn’t have been complete without a sunset exploration by Zodiac to explore the coasts of Santiago Island and Chinese Hat. Some friendly sea lions greeted us with their spectacular, playful behavior. Soon, we found ourselves riding back under the light of the sunset with the impressive volcanic background of the Galapagos.