Our exploration today took us to one of the oldest islands of this fantastic Archipelago: San Cristobal. We were greeted immediately upon landing on a golden beach at Punta Pitt by Galapagos sea lions and Darwin finches. A marvelous blue sky was going to be the perfect companion for a spectacular exploration.
The experience of hiking among giant tuff cones was something very difficult to describe: ancient volcanic cones all over the place, volcanic ash that looked like concrete making beautiful walls throughout the trail, but the main charm were definitely the songs that land birds were singing, providing a beautiful soundtrack for a marvelous hike. Once we reached the highest elevation, we enjoyed a superb view of Punta Pitt Bay. The deep blue sea made the perfect color contrast for an awe-inspiring picture.
At the end of the trail, we finally saw the main attraction of the visit: red-footed boobies. Just being there was an incredible experience: seabirds of different kinds soaring all over the place, Chatham mockingbirds and ground finches singing beautiful melodies, and colorful San Cristobal lava lizards running over the volcanic ash. As we came back to the beach, we spent a magic moment swimming in the waves that splashed along the shoreline. Once back on board National Geographic Islander, it was time to head to our next destination.
In the afternoon the exploration just got better. We went to Cerro Brujo, an emblematic site also called Finger Hill by Captain Robert Fitzroy. This is a white, coralline beach inhabited by sea lions. The weather was just perfect, and the colors were vibrant during this sunny afternoon. What a great way to say goodbye to these islands, with a marvelous sunset.
