We’ve seen photos of it in books and in many promotions of the Galapagos Islands. We’ve seen it in movies and documentaries, and have anticipated seeing it on our trip this week. However, as it goes with many iconic places, seeing it, no matter how many times, does not compare to experiencing it firsthand. This morning we woke before sunrise, with the silhouette of Bartolomé Islet nearby. As light began to fill the sky, and our Zodiacs departed the National Geographic Endeavour for a pre-breakfast hike, the iconic Pinnacle Rock came into view.
Hearts were pumping as we climbed the 367 steps that led to what is probably the most famous view in the archipelago. Along the boardwalk, we stopped to catch our breath and marvel at the landscape. It was not uncommon to hear references to the moon or Mars, as we looked over the oxidized spatter cone filled island. Lava lizards and pioneer plants dotted the dark lava ground. The reward for the climb was an incredible view of Pinnacle Rock from above, with two adjacent secluded beaches, a multicolored lava backdrop on nearby Santiago Island, and the ship in the distance, all bathed in the early morning light.
Our exploration of this small island did not end there. After breakfast, we donned swimsuits and snorkeling gear and headed for the beach. While many of us snorkeled, others experienced the underwater world via the glass-bottom boat and the floating spa. While the view from above Pinnacle Rock this morning was calm and peaceful, the water surrounding it was teeming with life. Schools of fishes congregated around large submerged rocks. Galapagos sea lions barked from above as three individuals interacted with each other and a group of snorkelers in the water. Sargent majors fed just under the surface in large numbers above a sea star dotted seafloor below. A lone penguin zipped through schools of small black striped salemas, while white-tipped reef sharks swam nearby. In the dining room during lunch, we excitedly shared stories of what some called the best snorkeling experience to date.
We jumped back in the water in the afternoon, after the ship relocated to another islet off the coast of Santiago Island, Sombrero Chino. While in transit to the snorkeling site, one guest talked about her wish list for the outing - stingrays and penguins - a list that was fulfilled within minutes of entering the water. Four large marbled stingrays lay underneath a rock formation. Numerous white-tipped reef sharks gracefully maneuvered through the waters between snorkelers. Penguins were not concerned by the snorkelers as they swiftly darted back and forth feeding on small fish. It was all that we could do to keep track of their rapid movement through the waters. Reluctantly we exited the water and returned to the ship. After a sunset Zodiac cruise, we enjoyed a barbeque feast on the aft deck and reminisced about our very active and very memorable day in the Galapagos Islands.
