Day 13, April 24: Lotsa lava
Today’s theme seems to be (relatively) recent volcanic activity. That is, the past few centuries, not the active lava flow we saw last week.
On Bartolomé Island we walked on a boardwalk over the lava fields (easy!) and then ascended a wooden stairway of more than 360 steps (not so easy). From the top of the island we had a panoramic view of Santiago and other nearby islands.
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| Bartolomé Island |
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| Bartolomé Island |
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| The view from Bartolomé Island |
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| The view from Bartolomé Island |
Pahoehoe (pronounced “pa-hoy-hoy”) is a Hawaiian word for a specific type of basaltic lava that cools slowly, forming ripples, waves, drips, and other shapes as it hardens. It’s often described as ropy or wavy, but to me it looks like a landscape designed by Dr. Seuss, complete with bizarre creatures hidden here and there among the twists and turns and blobs.
On Santiago Island we wandered over the pahoehoe, without a boardwalk or even a trail, each of us finding our favorite imaginary creatures to photograph.
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| Santiago Island |
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| Santiago Island |
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| Santiago Island |
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| Santiago Island |
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| Santiago Island |
Between lava hikes we had time for snorkeling. I spent some time with a huge school of Yellow-tailed Surgeonfish, found a constellation of sea stars, and got to see a Tiger Snake Eel (it’s not a snake, but looks like one.) The photos are nothing to brag about, but I’m starting to like this underwater stuff.
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| Yellow-tailed Surgeonfish |
Day 1: Photographers meet Galápagos
Day 2: We meet some new species
Day 3: Don't forget to preheat your camera!
Day 4: More snorkeling, more boobies, and our first snakes
Day 7: A trip to the Post Office
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