The last day of our expedition was a visit San Cristobal Island, the first island visited by Charles Darwin during the Voyage of the Beagle in September, 1835. We started our first hike in Punta Pitt, an old tuff cone with impressive cliffs. The hiked to the plateau and saw a dry plateau covered with patches of red Sesuvium, or Galapagos carpet weed. We found a colony of red footed boobies nesting. These boobies are the only ones, among the three species found in Galapagos, which nest in trees and bushes along the cliffs. Today we got to see some chicks and eggs. Once we finished our beautiful, yet uphill hike, it was time to enjoy the beach and the playful sea lions. Our guests had a blast swimming and taking pictures of them.
After lunch, we sailed towards the imposing offshore islet named Leon Dormido, or Kicker Rock, an old rocky outcrop, which is the remainder of a volcanic tuff cone eroded by the wind and wave action over thousands of years. Water was calm and we found some sharks. Our adventurous guests were able to enjoy some interesting snorkelling. We also found colorful schools of fish, sea turtles and the very large hammerhead sharks.
Once back on board, we enjoyed the circumnavigation of this unique formation with drinks on deck, before travelling to our final destination, the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the province of Galapagos, also known as the “capital of Paradise.” After dinner, our guests were able to walk in town and experience a little bit of the Galapagos life, kids riding bikes or playing among sea lions laying on the streets and benches, walking, shopping or eating at the local restaurants. We spent time in a place where humans and nature coexist in harmony, on this – our last day in paradise…
