Blogs from Santiago Island, Galápagos, Ecuador, South America
Galapagos Cruise Day 3 - Bartolome
Published: May 31st 2012South America » Ecuador » Galápagos » Santiago Island
May 12th 2012
At about 6:30 I was awake and feeling good. Sarah was totally fine, the rough seas last night did not bother her at all. The boat was nestled in to Sullivan Bay, between the big island of Santiago and the small island of Bartolome. The seas were very calm. 7:00 breakfast and by 8:00 we were off to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. After a wet landing Victor introduced the island and as he was doing so a juvenile endemic Galapagos Hawk (endemic species) flew low over our heads and landed nearby. We got a great view of the Hawk, no more than 15 feet away. Next we walked for about two miles through a recent lava flow, from 1889. It was recent enough that it was generally devoid of life, which was pretty cool looking ... read more
Galápagos Islands - Day 5
Published: March 19th 2012South America » Ecuador » Galápagos » Santiago Island
March 14th 2012
Unlike most islands in the archipelago which seem to have a dozen names, Santiago only has three: San Salvador, James and Santiago (the official Ecuadorian name) The day started with a hike on Buccaneers Cove, a notorious hangout for pirates and whalers drawn to the area by the deep water bay and access to an abundant supply of land tortoises which could be kept alive for up to a year in the hull of a ship, providing an important source of fresh meat for the men; not so great for the tortoise. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 tortoises were taken off the islands for food. The hike was excellent. The birds were out in force, including pelicans on the beach, yellow warblers, common egrets, Galapagos hawk, Galapagos dove, mockingbird, ducks and an abundance ... read more
Cruise Day 4 - Isla Rabida and Isla Sombrero Chinos
Published: March 21st 2010South America » Ecuador » Galápagos » Santiago Island
March 16th 2010
Our last full day aboard Galaven I, as we return to Santa Cruz tomorrow. Naomi particularly wanted to visit Rabida, as it is quite different again. Here the iron-rich lava has oxidised, turning the rocks, soil and sand a rich red-brown, very similar to the iron-ore rich soil in north-western Australia. We walked though the vegetation then along a cliff-side path. Marine iguanas were on most of the rocks below, with the Prickly Pear tree (Opuntia) growing along the clifftop. Again, plenty of birdlife, many of Darwin's Finches and an American Oystercatcher on the red beach. A lagoon near the shore again had no flamingoes (we learnt later on the other cruise that they have not been on Rabida for years). The path looped back onto the beach (as they all do, different tour groups can ... read more
December 18th 2009
Islas de Galapagos, Isla Bartolomè, 18-10-1990. Every waking moment of my time here touring these magnificent islands full with endemic life forms, animal species totally unconcerned with the camara toting foreign humans invading their cherished home, I am reminded of how the wortld would be without the presence and consequent demands of the human race, the impact we have on the world around us... Sitting here on top of our boat, hot mug of steaming java warming my hands, waiting for the first rays of sun that will herald the beginning of a new day...a brand new day in a natural world only slightly contaminated by the world of mankind...philosofical matters concerning the place of the human race in this world rule my mental thinking No big mega cities where the dregs of the human species ... read more
The turtle nuptial bed chamber
Published: December 7th 2009South America » Ecuador » Galápagos » Santiago Island
December 7th 2009
Islas de Galapagos, Isla Santiago, 17-10-1990. Braving the cold crisp air of early morning I peek out of the porthole, a silver line at the horizon and growing fast in intensity, promises me another clear day with great vistas and a sunny waether though the draft of cold air trying hard to invade the warmth under my moth eaten blanket is trying hard to convince me otherwise. Life on a small boat that claims the grandiose title of "cruise ship" and carries four passengers and two crew men plus the by National Park obligated guide, can be claustrofobic and tension high at night when entertainment is is at its lowest and the happy mood brought about by the consumption of King Alcohol is non-excistent due to the empty fridge in the cook's rat dominated kitchen. Or ... read more
The plight of Mother Turtle
Published: November 30th 2009South America » Ecuador » Galápagos » Santiago Island
November 30th 2009
Islas De Galapagos, Isla Santiago, 16-10-1990. Curious prehistoric-looking reptiles eye us, approaching us easily and unafraid while we disembark from our dingy, shoes in hands since we invade this animal kingdom by a so-called wed landing. Slowly they shuffle closer over the black lava bed with its eroded shapes and small pools that house black-colored crabs - perfect camouflage in this volcanic landscape. All around our dingy huge sea turtles awkwardly work their way up the beach, their progress is slow and difficult. Out at sea they might be in their element but here on the hot beach they are being tested to their limits. Together with countless gulls, no doubt aware of what is about to take place, we sit around watching them find a suitable spot on the beach, go through the even harder ... read more
December 2nd 2008
Day 7 - We sailed to Santiago Island. Also known as James and San Salvador, it has numerous landing sites. Santiago was a favorite island for whalers and pirates. Our first morning excursion was on James Bay. It was an easy walk. The sand was quite dark, almost black, but it was soft to walk on. We saw Fur Sea Lions. The difference between Fur Sea Lions and Galapagos Sea Lions is the Fur Sea Lion is smaller in size, has thicker fur, and the ears are barely visible. There were masses of Marine Iguanas, it was careful walking. Perhaps, one of my favorite parts of Santiago Island was the water coming through the lava caves. In the afternoon, we took a short sail to the island of Rabida. Rabida is located south of Santiago. Our ... read more
