Bartolomé Island & Chinese Hat
Bartolomé Island boasts such dramatic geological architecture that it stars in many brochures and websites as a Galápagos landmark. Its many spatter cones, golden beaches and surreal cliffs make the visitor feel truly far away from home. The particular harshness of this small island means that even Galápagos wildlife – as adapted as it is – is sparse. Only a few lava lizards and locusts are the more regular encounters, and occasionally a snake or finch. Just a handful of endemic plant species grow on this island, some almost only endemic to Bartolomé. In short, a great place to start a day in Galápagos…
After an early rise many of us headed out to take in the spectacular views the summit of Bartolomé offers us, where we could easily make out ten different islands, for Bartolomé lies in the center of the archipelago. Back on the National Geographic Endeavour we had breakfast and then landed on a golden beaches to relax, swim, or snorkel. Penguins were feeding on fry, many bentic organisms abounded and varied schools of grunts, snappers and surgeon fish gave the crystal-clear and warm water the feel of swimming in a spectacular aquarium. Here, in the water, life is abundant.
After lunch back on board, we had an interesting presentation by producer and National Geographic expert John Bredar, about his movie “Darwin’s Darkest Hour”. Darwin always leads to interesting discussion, and John’s answers showed a great respect for and knowledge about Darwin.
By now the day was past its hottest point and so we headed out again, either for a zodiac ride or snorkel along the shore of Santiago, or to relax on a white sandy beach offered by a huge spatter cone called Chinese Hat. The contrast between the warm, turquoise water and the sharp black lava couldn’t be more stark, and kept us in the same mood today’s early start gave us; one of wonder, curiosity and awe for the splendor of nature, something even Darwin couldn’t possibly have made up.
