San Cristóbal Island, 8/30/2024, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
After being greeted by an irresistibly cute sea lion pup on Punta Pitt beach, we began our ascent surrounded by imposing cliffs. We reached the plateau after a short climb and were rewarded by a spectacular view. The bright red carpetweed added drama to the landscape. We also got a bird’s eye view of the red-footed booby nesting colonies and passed a few blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds in their nests.
A leisurely stroll along the pristine beach at Cerro Brujo ended the last full day of our trip. Unable to resist the call of the turquoise water, some guests took to the water for one last swim!
From cold and blustery Scotland, and with her Chemistry degree certificate hot off the press, Tanya landed in the Ecuadorian jungle, over 30 years ago, a little shell-shocked for her first full-time job! Having decided her interests lay more in the n...
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We arrived at the north of Santa Cruz Island, and we witnessed that there had been heavy rains in recent days, leaving this part of the island covered in green. It was like an artist’s palette, with all the shades of green captured in this amazing landscape.
After breakfast, we set out for Urbina Bay, located on the western side of Isabela Island. Just a few meters from the shore, we encountered several giant tortoises resting in rainwater pools left by the downpour from the night before. The rainy season is truly a blessing for all terrestrial animals, and the tortoises are no exception, taking advantage of the fresh water and lush vegetation. In the afternoon, we navigated north toward Punta Vicente Roca. At 2:15 PM, we embarked on an unforgettable snorkeling experience along the island’s coastal cliffs. We had the incredible opportunity to swim alongside playful sea lions, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and sea turtles. Our final excursion of the day was a panga ride around Ecuador Volcano. This outing turned into a unique adventure as an unexpected rain shower added a special touch to the experience. Our guests donned ponchos and embraced the moment, making the ride even more memorable as we explored this remote and stunning landscape. Just before 6:00 PM, we marked a significant milestone, crossing the Equator! We celebrated this special moment with a traditional flag-crossing ceremony, accompanied by lively music and a fun round of limbo.
Today we visited Santa Cruz Island, the home of 25,000 inhabitants that represent the largest human population of the Galapagos Islands. During the morning, our guests explored Puerto Ayora and learned everything about the work of the Charles Darwin Research Station. Later in the afternoon, we explored the highlands of the island where our guests enjoyed observing the Santa Cruz giant tortoise, Geochelone porteri, in their natural habitat.