 Santiago, Fur Seal |
After a quick breakfast from the buffet in Darwin's, we're off on the 8am, high intensity excursion of the day to Puerto Egas on Santiago Island. Following a wet landing on the beach, we hike along the coast below the high tide water mark. Not unlike Fernandina, this hike is across lava rock. However, this area is much flatter, and not as broken up as it was on Fernandina, making the hike much easier. At one spot along the trail we come upon a mother sea lion and her 1-day old baby (as evidenced by the nearby placenta). Some of the tidal pools are deep, and one very deep large pool is the home to Galapagos Fur Seals. Hiking directly back to the beach via an inland trail, we come across a very young blue heron hunting grasshoppers and small lizards. Back at the beach we again have the opportunity for swimming and snorkeling. The snorkeling report at this beach is good, with clear water and an abundance of sea life including fish, sea lions and sea turtles.
Returning on board, we enjoy the lighter grill that is offered outside on the rear deck at the Beagle Grill. Before the next set of excursions, the IMAX movie Galapagos Archipelago is presented in the Discovery Lounge. Two excursions are offered in the afternoon, a dry landing at Dragon Hill for an inland hike and a beach landing for swimming. We elect to stay on board and enjoy the beautiful weather and quiet of the ship. Reports from those that did decide to land tell us this is not a good area for snorkeling or swimming due to a high concentration of algae in the water.
After everyone is back aboard around 6:30pm, we attend tomorrow's briefing, enjoy dinner in Darwin's and a screening of Master and Commander in the Discovery Lounge complete with popcorn and milkshakes!
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