Galapagos 4

Galapagos4

Panga ride to scenic and volcanic Bartolome Island and climbed 300 stair steps to the observation area near the summit. The bay and harbor below was a backdrop for the fiilm "Master and Commander." The Island is quite dry, being in the rain shadow of Santiago. A circular inlet at the base of the stairs, just barely breaking the surf, is the residual of an old crater. The plants on the island were widely separated by poisons they exude against competitive plants. Mary Lynn and part of the group snorkeled in the bay after the hike. In the afternoon we had a panga ride through Black Turtle cove and its mangrove forest where we saw white-tipped sharks,young Lava Herons and many green sea turtles some of which were engaging in a four hour copulation (the men in the party thought that was much too long)while other males swam frantically around apparently awaiting their turn. We floated through some narrow entanglements, one of which the boat pilot resisted, but Julian insisted. Rocky, long boat ride to Puerto Ayora before dinner. We celebrated Lenore's birthday, though I doubt her condition made the cake, which Tomas made, appetizing.