No sleeping in this Saturday. We were up at 5 am for a 6 am pickup and drive over the island to our waiting boat at Itabaca canal (near Baltra Island). At first glance our boat looked a bit rough around the edges but we discovered it had a good layout and was large enough to accommodate the 21 passengers and crew without crowding for the leisurely 2 1/2 hr trip to Isla Bartolome. We knew it would be a good day when we saw a school of golden rays swim by the dock.
Bartolome, while small may be one of the most visited islands in the Galapagos. There are two main attractions: the hike up the boardwalk to the top of an extinct lava cone and possibly the most photographed view in the islands, and the bay below at Pinnacle Rock where you can snorkel and enjoy a small sandy beach.
On the boardwalk to the top we saw small lava lizards munching on low tiquilia shrub flowers that grow on the barren gravelly tuff slopes. The shrubs seem to be evenly spaced, which ensures equal access to the scant water available. The lava lizards here are primarily vegetarian although I am sure they would relish an insect if available.
Most of our group were French geologists who were very interested in the different kinds of lava. They had their own translator who would take their questions and translate into Spanish for the guide. He would reply in Spanish which the interpreter would then turn into French and so on.
While the lava was interesting, Sally and I decided to go on ahead and enjoy the view from the top and wait for the group there.
Following the hike we went back to the boat for a cold coke and collected our snorkeling equipment. Our panga dropped us off at the base of Pinnacle Rock and for the next hour we explored the shoreline between there and the nearby beach. We saw schools of yellow tailed surgeon fish that were accompanied by colourful parrot fish who swam just under them…..not sure why. We also swam with a couple of penguins who fished right around us.
Back on the boat for lunch it seems I was not the only one who was ravenous after the activities as everyone tucked in heartily.
Cruising home in the sun and calm seas, we could see that it was raining in the highlands on Santa Cruz as we approached. Sure enough, on the bus ride home when we stopped to visit Los Gemelos craters, everything was fresh and wet from the recent downpour. Back home we elected to eat in rather than go out………happy but tired campers.
This was probably our last trip to see another island. I’m still one island ahead of Sally because of my trip to Santiago (not that anyone is counting).
Categories: