http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from South America , Ecuador , Galápagos , Santiago Island en-us Sat, 25 May 2013 16:04:28 +0000 Sat, 25 May 2013 16:04:28 +0000 Today we took a day boat trip to Bartolome and Santiago Islands which are a two hour boat ride northwest of Baltra Island. There are several islands that are accessible by day trip each unique in their own right by terrain and which species of bird or animal you wish to see. I decided on Bartolome Island because it is home to a very small and elusive colony of penguin which originated in Antarc http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-769084.html We arrived at our anchor point some time over night. The ride seemed fine and when I woke up the seas were so calm I couldn39t tell we were even on a boat. Sarah had been up for about an hour watching the sunrise. Her report on wildlife a sea lion burped. I went up to the top deck to watch for a little too before breakfast and only saw two penguins in the water. Otherwise things were calm.Tod http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-720324.html At last a solid nights sleep Sarah and I both got a good much needed 9 hours. The boat had already moved to Sombrero Chino Chinese Hat before dinner yesterday so we were anchored and seas were quiet.At 8 we hopped in the dinghys and got a little boat tour of the south side of the channel on the north side of Santiago where the new lava flow enters the water. From the boat we saw a number of ma http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-719342.html At about 630 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.700 breakfast and by 800 we were off to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. After a wet landing Victor introduced the island and as he was doing http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-719159.html 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 nameThe 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 o http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-697997.html 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 ironrich lava has oxidised turning the rocks soil and sand a rich redbrown very similar to the ironore rich soil in northwestern Australia.We walked though the vegetation then along a cliffside path. Marine iguanas were on most of the http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-483451.html Islas de Galapagos Isla Bartolom18101990.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...S http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-461137.html Islas de Galapagos Isla Santiago17101990.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 http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-458762.html Islas De Galapagos Isla Santiago16101990.Curious prehistoriclooking 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 socalled wed landing. Slowly they shuffle closer over the black lava bed with its eroded shapes and small pools that house blackcolored crabs perfect camouflage in this volcanic la http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-457173.html 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 http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Santiago-Island/blog-352520.html