Today is the final exploration for our trip around the famous and enchanted Galapagos Islands. This morning, we visited Punta Pitt. After lunch, we went to “Cerro Brujo.” Finally, we ended our magical day by circumnavigating Kicker Rock, a very impressive eroded tuff cone standing nearby the coast of the oldest island of Galapagos, San Cristobal.
After breakfast, we landed on a green, sparkling beach, where the sand is made of olivine and micro pieces of quartz. There, we enjoyed our last hike. We were lucky to see the three species of boobies that exist in the archipelago–red, blue, and Nazca. The trail was steep, and after half an hour, we reached an area with a spectacular view of the place. The island of San Cristobal is one of the oldest in the Galapagos. The volcano located in Punta Pitt is a lot different than what we saw during the week. The volcano has many peaks, and you can tell erosion took place by the action of the rain, the wind, and the ocean. The day was very sunny and hot, but our reward came when we spotted endemic San Cristobal mockingbirds and endemic lava lizards, species unique to the island. The water was perfect to cool off after a very invigorating hike. Some sea lions were ready to play with our astonished guests. To swim and play with fearless and friendly sea lions is one of the most incredible experiences on a trip in Galapagos.
In the afternoon, we landed on Cerro Brujo. We spent a couple of hours on a nice white-sand beach. The bay has an amazing turquoise sea. We saw many blue-footed boobies fishing; these birds were diving repeatedly, sometimes in groups of three to five at the same time. The beach also has a colony of sea lions, and we saw them nursing their pups. Pelicans and other seabirds were busy catching some fish. In the foreground, we could see the majestic Kicker Rock. What a scenario in which to say goodbye to Galapagos.
Around 5:30 p.m., we started moving our vessel’s direction toward Kicker Rock, one of the most beautiful geological formations of the Galapagos. We got very close to the rock, enjoying its beauty. We were serenaded with a guitar and singing while we enjoyed a wide variety of wine. The sunset was spectacular, and the cocktail party was magnificent! Our guests shared words about their unique experiences, the trip of a lifetime!
