The equator is not always a tropical and hot place. On the equator in the Galapagos Islands, one can encounter creatures from extreme climates, very warm as well as very cold. The penguins are probably the most outstanding example of "cold on the equator".
Bartolome has a small colony of Galapagos penguins, and when we have a lucky week, our guests can swim and snorkel with them. The island was at its best this morning; it was sunny and there was an exceptionally low tide, which made the snorkeling experience an even better one.
The underwater camera is one very handy piece of equipment, and whenever I snorkel I try to bring it along, because this is an archipelago of great surprises. This penguin gave me a big bolt from the blue; it suddenly appeared from nowhere, and came straight to my mask to inspect the camera and me. Galapagos penguins are not only the second smallest of the world, they're also very curious creatures.
