NOW PLAYING: THAT'S A MORAY (AMORE)

What's that gleam in a da reef?
With the bright shiny teef?
That's a moray.

Bartolomé Island The near pinnacle is world-renowned Had lunch, then our first land excursion on Bartolomé Island. Second Zodiac arriving Saw a fur seal on the landing. One of the group tried to pet it and it charged him. (On last week's trip, someone put a finger in a Moray eel's mouth and was bitten on the arm.) Landing site of first land tour with . . . . . . the Island's unofficial greeter: a fur seal that strongly objected to one of us (I don't know who) getting too close; s/he lunged with fangs bared. Photo courtesy Walter Torres A guide from another tour company WAS bitten by one of these. We climbed to its highest point, 375' above sea level, took some group photos and had Bill shoot a few of me; Gary & I traded shots too. A boardwalk is provided for both the island's safety and ours. The short climb (45-60 minutes) to the top is worth the spectacular view. Photo courtesy Walter Torres Me without my hat! The wind took my hat right off my head Saw these bones when my hat blew off my head.  Bill & Jim offered to rescue it for me, but I said I don't know if that's a good idea - here's what's left of the last person who left the boardwalk. Photo courtesy Walter Torres I got it back though, thanks to Bill & Jim! View of the cove "Golden Beach" where later we will see fur seals. Where we are headed is 375' above sea level. Bartolomé has a volcanic cone to climb to provide great views of the other islands. Bartolomé is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the distinctive characteristic of this island, and the most representative landmark of the Galápagos.
First land tour: lava lizards, cactus, fur seals, Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, crab heron & different types of lava
Near a couple of spatter cones on the way up, we spot some cactus. Brachycereus is found only in Galápagos. Going up and up . . . and we're walkin'. Photo courtesy Walter Torres Believe it or not, only half the way up. Dive buddy Bill Herbes (Gar stopped diving today); he took my picture, I took his. The final stretch of steps . . . the steepest part of the climb. The summit provides spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock, the immense black lava flows at Sullivan Bay and the rest of Santiago Island, and Daphne Major & Minor. Photo courtesy Walter Torres And I made it - at the top. Group photo at the top of the volcano caldera Looking back to where we started, and from where we have to depart. The summit provides spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock, the immense black lava flows at Sullivan Bay and the rest of Santiago Island, and Daphne Major and Minor. Along the way, various volcanic formations including spatter, tuff cones & lava flows can be seen. Close-up look at some of the lava field A different kind of lava The Tequila plant, which appears to be dead brush, is actually made of leaves covered with small gray hairs . . . . . . which help prevent moisture evaporation and reflect sunlight When we came down off the island we had a boat ride to see seals, blue-footed boobies, Galápagos penguins, a crab heron & more seals. Back down to the panga (Zodiac) and a panga tour The greeter says good-bye . . . . . . (and good riddance).

TAKE A PANGA TOUR OF THE ISLAND HERE