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DAY 5, Thursday

Puerto Egas, Santiago Island – Bartolome

First stop of the day is Puerto Egas located in Santiago Island (James). This place as most of the Galapagos is inhabited by a large colony of lazy sea lions, marine iguanas that eat exposed green algae and there are lava herons.

We can find deep pools of clear water where we encounter fur sea lions and marine tortoises swimming.

The rocky landscape is very interesting; you can see black petrified lava.

But there is no only lava; on other side of this place the ground is full of shells in pieces.

You can have a great view of other islands from this point.

Before returning to the yacht, there is a snorkeling opportunity from the beach with loads of tropical fish.   Puerto Egas is one of the best places for snorkeling. We were able to find schools of tropical fish, penguins, sea turtles and the white stripped shark.

Next spot: Bartolome, being here seems like we are walking on the moon!! because its shape and it looks like Mars because its color: intense red sand.

This young Island is inhospitable to most plants and animals, we could only notice some species of cacti.

After a dry landing, we climbed for 30 minutes up stairs leading to the summit of a once active volcano.

Along the way, we pause to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. 

From the wooden stairs, we can see a view like if it was a destroyed planet, a field of rocks, lava, a kind of desert with small hills and little craters.

Once in the top you will find a panoramic view of the island and "Pinnacle Rock", an eroded tuff cone. 

Descending from 400 stairs it is of course much easier than going up!

When returning to the ship we had a wonderful close up view of the pinnacle.

Every time after our visits Huguito, our barman, is waiting for us with delicious snacks, every time is a surprise: sausages, green banana turn-overs with cheese, fried bananas, pizza, etc.

At night you can read some of the interesting books about Galapagos wildlife or watch a movie (there is a DVD player and DVD’s, Castaway among them) or you can just go crazy just as we did!

Today was a great day J !

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