TRAVEL SPECIAL
of interesting smaller animals , including the intensely colourful Galapagos barnacle blenny .
That ’ s the slight downside of the Galapagos having such attention-grabbing megafauna – you tend to ignore all the beautiful life on the reef . So for the second week ’ s visit to Cousin Rock , I went in with a macro lens to capture the pretty blennies and the endemic hawkfish , finding one nestled against a cushion star .
Picked up by the ever vigilant Zodiac driver , Willie , we were taken back to the Sky , where the crew were as usual on hand to welcome us with warm towels , hot drinks and freshly baked pastries . The level of pampering on Galapagos Sky verges on the ridiculous ,
but I didn ’ t hear anyone complaining . Treats consumed , we secured our kit for the 100-mile journey to the northern islands .
Wolf and Darwin – the end of the map
We enjoyed the best hammerhead action at Wolf , the first of the two remote northern islands on the Sky ’ s itinerary . Beyond Wolf , there is the northernmost of the archipelago , Darwin Island . Both are characterised by steep cliffs and absolutely nowhere to land a vessel . They are primordial , untouched places ; unpopulated and unspoiled both above and below the water .
Our liveaboard reached Wolf early in the morning , slowing to a reverential chug as we emerged from g
RAbove : Striped salema school at
Cabo Douglas
TBelow left : Tubastrea sun corals are common
in the southern Galapagos
SBelow right : Yawning scorpionfish
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