Tiny Bartolome Island is a highlight of any Galapagos visit. The hike to the summit leaves you breathless for more than one reason - the 380 steps to the top and the magnificent view of Pinnacle Rock, Santiago Island, and the Bainbridge group of islets. After the hike and before breakfast and snorkeling, we had a glimpse of a couple of Galapagos penguins that came close enough to say hello but far enough for decent smartphone pictures.
After a few hours of crossing, we reached the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island and some of us went for a hike at Dragon Hill to look for land iguanas. We were also lucky to observe a flamingo that showed up in the brackish lagoon. My group decided to go for the alternative Zodiac ride at the nearby area of Venecia. We motored slowly in the (juvenile) blacktip reef shark infested waters. We found mating sea turtles and the usual shore birds hunting for Sally Lightfoot crabs.
