Today an early start again left the ship at 6.30am to climb 365 steps to a platform with a 360 degree view which is on top of Bartolome's volcanic cone. The only thing wrong with this is that it was pouring with Ecuadorian rain. We were all soaked and wondered if it was even worthwhile making it to the top. Well I can’t believe that I did it, lucky there were platforms along the way where the naturalist gave talks about the volcanic landscape. When we arrived at the top we were rewarded with the rain clearing so we have some stunning phots of the view. Back to the ship for breakfast then off for more snorkelling at 9.15am. Boy they really pack in the adventures. The snorkelling was brilliant and the fish were so colourful. About 10 minutes before we got out there were 3 penguins swimming around and through us. Lucky Geoff had a wet suit on as one came up so close and bit him on the arm. It was a bit hard to get pictures as they are like little torpedoes. We came back to the ship at 11.45am so that made us in the second last group. It was just so hard to get out to leave those beautiful fish. Oh, forgot to tell you there was a black tipped reef shark which glided past us, it was hugging the ledge. See the pinnacle in the photo; that is where we were snorkelling around.

Afternoon sees another snorkel adventure but I am a bit tuckered out so we give this one a miss this afternoon . Probably just as well there is nothing like getting into a wet swim suit and trying to pull on a wet wet suit, picture that won’t you, need something like a can opener to get you in it.

Zodiac rides around the island of Santiago or James Island. This is the island that the National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions have adopted and support. We see a couple of Galapagos penguins, sea lions, blue boobies, frigates, sally light foot crabs everywhere and a particular seagull which can only be found in the Galapagos Islands.

The evening discussion on the day’s activity and the underwater photography by the resident underwater specialist is amazing. At the end of the trip we can purchase a DVD of 'our trip’. All though the trip we have had a video photographer which has been taking and sneaking footage of all of us. This will be another great memento of this trip.

BBQ dinner out on the back deck to enjoy the evening, a lovely way to finish off a spectacular day.