Day 4 was a long day, but a fruitful one. We needed to be at the Hotel reception ready to go at 6am. We travel over land to the Narel. This time we have a trip to Bartolomé Island (Isla Bartolomé). This island, and Sullivan Bay (Bahia Sullivan) on Santiago Island, are named after naturalist and friend of Charles Darwin, Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan. Sullivan was a Lieutenant aboard HMS Beagle.

On the way we pass through the Canal de San Salvador past Daphne Major (Isla Daphne) and Daphne Minor, small islands we pass close by, but no landings. Minor on the way over and Major on the way back. Major seems to be a major roost for brown pelicans.

There are many storm petrels flying about, but they do not like boats and always fly away, being so small it is hard to get a close up. A few shots of then water on water. A few string rays were seen jumping out of the water. The Doc looked over the side and large manta ray was visible for a second or two.

As we approach Bartolomé Island the distinctive geological features become clear, including Pinnacle Rock. Bartolomé Island is only a few hundred metres from the much larger Santiago Island.

We land on Bartolomé and begin our climb of the many steps we can see spiralling up the mountain side. You can see a section of the steps in the photos. The other group that landed with us are from a dive boat. It was a fascinating walk up. At the top you are greeted with a panorama overlooking Pinnacle Rock, Golden Beach, Sullivan Bay and Santiago Island.

A juvenile Galapagos Hawk landed next to The Doc when he was up photographing the navigation beacon.

Down we go, off to make another landing on a beach near Pinnacle Rock. The Doc decides not to make the landing and stay in the zodiac, hoping he would get a trip around Pinnacle Rock. For the next 20 minutes the Captain gave The Doc has own guided tour. The Doc was dropped off at the Narel and the zodiac went to pick up the landing party.

Next stop Bahia Sullivan on Santiago Island, a very short boat ride away.

Bahia Sullivan

Sullivan Bay (Bahia Sullivan) has the lava flows you see in the BBC series, with a young Charles Darwin walking across. The lava flows were formed in 1897. Sullivan Bay is on Santiago Island, also known as San Salvador Island, named after the first island discovered by Columbus in the Caribbean Sea or James Island. James after Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan perhaps.

For The Doc the lava flow was the thing to see, most of the group snorkelled. The extraordinary variation in the lava was amazing ever metre or so the patterns changed, a small sample is given below. Back to the boat and long trip home today. It was rough going back Canal de San Salvador, the stingray were jumping out of the water a lot. Most of us were feeling a little worse for wear. Not too many birds this time. We made a close up pass of Daphne Major.

Postcript

Tips for the Guide and the Crew as we returned to port. Again they did a great job over the 3 days. The Doc forgot his souvenirs this time. Jaimie had 4 children and a wife in a wheel chair, so he not not happy with himself for this oversight. From memory, others in the group remembered.

Checking out of the Hotel Solymar the next morning the cleaning lady came down to tell Allan and Bill they had left something in the room, it was gift for the cleaning lady, a souvenir. The Doc quickly got out a kangaroo key ring and gave the cleaning lady one, she was very excited. It seems these are rare treats for the behind the scene workers that make your stay more pleasant.

So ends the Galapagos Land Trip, as we pack up and leave in the morning for mainland Ecuador. This time we get the ferry across the Itabaca Channel to Baltra Island and short bus ride to the airport. We enjoyed some Ecuadorian chocolate at the airport (República del Cacao if you were wondering) and flew back to Quayaquil, Ecuador. We stayed overnight at the Continental.

Early the next day we flew to Santiago Chile. Dave leaves us at Chile to head back to New Zealand and we are joined by a new member going to Easter Island, Kelli who had flown in from London via Miami.

The Doc has dinner with an old Uni friend who now lives in Santiago, John B. It was an enjoyable meal and great company. Next stop Easter Island.

Writing up the trip does makes you do research to properly identify the places you have been. The Tour Itinerary was a good start, but you also need to make notes of what the guides say, look at Google Earth, maps and other sources. The Doc hopes you have enjoyed the pictures and stories from Galapagos, the enchanted isle. Farewell Galapagos.