Our day began with a pre-breakfast kayaking outing at Chinese Hat, where we had the chance to learn about geological features like cinder cones, tuff cones, and lava flows that date back as far as 20,000 years ago. We also enjoyed a snorkeling excursion in the same area, and then we relocated National Geographic Islander II to the other side of Santiago Island at Sullivan Bay. Here, we hiked around frozen lava fields.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 13 Dec 2024
Chinese Hat and Sullivan Bay, 12/13/2024, National Geographic Islander II
- Aboard the National Geographic Islander II
- Galápagos
Bernardo Jacome, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Bernardo, known by his friends and family as Bernie, was born In the Andean city of Quito, located in the highlands of Ecuador. His grandfather, however, moved to the Galapagos Islands in the mid-70s, and worked as one of the first Naturalist Guides,...
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We started our day early in the morning at Chinese Hat. As our kayaks glided in the water, we had our first opportunity to watch Galapagos penguins swimming beside us. As we got closer to the shoreline, lava herons and blue-footed boobies stood motionless on the lava, watching our groups pass. In the late morning, we had the opportunity to have a very intimate moment with Galapagos penguins while they were hunting black-striped salemas. Penguins swam back and forth, trying to get as many fish as possible. The lunar landscape of Chinese Hat gave us an opportunity to observe the candelabra cactuses that grow on this recently formed lava field. In the afternoon, our expedition took us to Sullivan Bay. During a hike, we enjoyed one of the most amazing lava landscapes in the Galapagos. The visitor site invited us to think deeply about the genesis of life in the Galapagos Islands and how plants and animals arrived and established themselves here. As we returned to the ship, a beautiful sunset invited us to reflect on the geological and geographic qualities that make the Galapagos truly unique.
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