We visited San Cristobal Island on the last day of our expedition and it was the first island visited by Charles Darwin during the Voyage of the MSS Beagle in September, 1835. We started our first hike in Punta Pitt, an old tuff cone with high cliffs. The hike led us to a wonderful view and dry plateau covered with patches of the purple Sesuvium portulacastrum, or Galapagos carpet weed. We found a colony of red footed boobies nesting. These boobies are the only ones, among the 3 species found in Galapagos that nest in trees and bushes along the cliffs. Today we got to see some chicks and eggs. Once we finished our beautiful uphill hike it was time to enjoy the beach and the playful sea lions. We had a blast swimming and taking pictures of them.
After lunch we sailed towards the beautiful offshore islet known 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. The water was calm and we found colourful schools of fish, sea turtles, and a couple of big 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. It is 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 nightlife-walking, shopping or eating at the local restaurants, kids riding bikes or playing among sea lions lying on the streets and benches. We spent time in a place where humans and nature coexist in harmony. It was a perfect way to end our time in this paradise.
