Bartolomé

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Mon 22 Apr 2013 21:07
 

 

 

 

 

BB Hawk Barts 012  BB Hawk Barts 020

We left Santa Cruz after supper to travel the thirty miles to Bartholomew Island. We awoke this morning to a lovely sunrise.

 

BB Hawk Barts 008

Our first look at Pinnacle Rock

 

BB Hawk Barts 019

 
Ronaldo asked us to be ready after breakfast for the walk up to the look out. Chino ferried us all ashore in the panga and we took pictures of Galapagos Vision quietly waiting at anchor.
 
 
BB Hawk Barts 028  BB Hawk Barts 023  BB Hawk Barts 037
 
We found a young Sally light-foot holding a piece of crab like a lance, the remains of a seal lion and a well made boardwalk. 
 
 
BB Hawk Barts 032  BB Hawk Barts 039
 
BB Hawk Barts 055  BF Hawk Barts 070  BB Hawk Barts 080
 
Bartolomé is a volcanic islet situated just off the east coast of Santiago Island and is one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos archipelago.
 
 
BB Hawk Barts 105  BB Hawk Barts 075
 
BF Hawk Barts 017
 
BF Hawk Barts 018  BB Hawk Barts 061
 
Despite being fairly desolate and harbouring little plant life, it is scenically unique making Bartolomé the most visited and most photographed island in the archipelago.
 
 
BB Hawk Barts 071  BB Hawk Barts 033 

 

The island and Sullivan bay (on Santiago Island) are named after the naturalist and life-long friend of Charles Darwin, Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan, who was a Lieutenant aboard the HMS Beagle.

 

 

BB Hawk Barts 091

BB Hawk Barts 104  BB Hawk Barts 101  BF Hawk Barts 058

BB Hawk Barts 106

BF Hawk Barts 066  BF Hawk Barts 086

The island is characterised by its fascinating geology and incredible volcanic formations

 

BB Hawk Barts 109

 

Historically, Pinnacle Rock (shaped by the wind) was used as a target for US airmen in WWII.  

 

The island offers beautiful white sandy beaches, fringed by luscious green mangroves, home to green turtles and Galapagos Hawks (own blog). Also one of the few islands home to the Galapagos Penguin which is the only penguin to live on the equator.

 

 

BB Hawk Barts 097

 

Half way up we stopped for a group shot. Daniel and Lucas, who joined the catamaran the same time as us for a week. Tabeat and Eli, Tony, Max and Liliana who all leave tomorrow when we arrive in Santa Cruz.

 

 

BB Hawk Barts 094

We get our Master and Commander picture.

 

BB Hawk Barts 099

Ronaldo behind me (our licensed English speaking guide, leaves us on Wednesday) and Roberto (National Park Guide, Spanish speaking but we get by in Spanglish with this extremely patient, smashing chap).
 
 
BF Hawk Barts 062
 
BF Hawk Barts 063  BF Hawk Barts 064
 
The boys explained that the rocks opposite were in fact made in some original volcanic activity and could have been islands, the red colour indicates oxidation. The dark grey matter was later activity.
 
 
BB Hawk Barts 064
 
En route to the top.
 
 
BB Hawk Barts 036
 
Our view from the top shows we have been joined by the National Geographic Explorer and a traditional looking girl.

 

BB Hawk Barts 077

Big Bear was right to be impressed with this lovely shot complete with our shadows.

 

 

 

 

 

ALL IN ALL AN AMAZING VIEW