Day 28 - Sullivan Bay and Bartolome island

Today began with a walk at Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island.  The walk was very dramatic as we crossed a massive lava flow which was not there in the 1700s, but had appeared by the time Darwin’s expedition mapped the area. It had lots of lava bridges over semi-collapsed tunnels and only cacti grew and lava lizards chased locusts.  In and at the back of the black lava field were red cones from previous eruptions which had been surrounded by the new lava.

We moved a very short distance and our afternoon walk was on Bartolome Island and we climbed to the top to get what is regarded as the best view in the Galapagos. The effort involved just after midday was worth it.  It was 327 steps to the top.

Later in the afternoon, Glynis went with the snorkelling group and drove the rib again.  She had a very interesting chat with the driver, who is second in command of the Seaman II and will be the captain next week when the current captain goes on leave.  They work 6 weeks on and 3 off and most come from mainland Ecuador, though Joel, the barman, who heads up the passenger services, is Marco the guide’s brother and does come from the Galapagos.  They have to take the boat back to the mainland annually for examination, but the crew stay with it. 

At 5 we began our last ‘navigation’ back to Santa Cruz island, which was very rough again.  Fortunately, we stopped just before dinner and our farewell cocktail.

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