The first full day of our expedition on National Geographic Islander II started on the marvelous island of San Cristobal, the easternmost island in the archipelago. After breakfast the adventure started with a Zodiac ride along the coast observing the unique forest, which is typically dry but is now completely green during this wet season. Frigatebirds were flying above us, looking for sea birds from whom they could steal food.

Minutes later we walked through this wonderful forest until we arrived at a cliff, observing the breathtaking landscape that surrounds this area. We got a surprise when a San Cristobal mockingbird was spotted, which is a very rare encounter.

This afternoon the beautiful white sandy beach of Cerro Brujo, perhaps the prettiest of the Galapagos Islands, offered us our first swim and time to relax under the warm afternoon sun. It was the perfect way to start our fantastic expedition.