Santa Cruz Island
What a great day we had! Early in the morning we woke up surrounded by these wonderful islands as our ship The Islander repositioned to our next destination of Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the Galápagos. Here is where all efforts for conservation take place by two well known institutions, the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galápagos National Park. Home of the world famous giant tortoises, Santa Cruz provide us with the opportunity to visit them in the wild and also in captivity as these specimens will guarantee the comeback of these species.
As soon as we stepped onto the island we looked around and there were all different kinds of colors: the turquoise bay, blue skies, white cotton-like clouds, black lava, green vegetation; these were the scenery for the welcoming town of Puerto Ayora.
At the research station we were astounded by the massive size of the legendary Lonesome George, the last survivor of Pinta Island. All hard work for the preservation takes place in here as we witness the rearing program and view many, tiny baby tortoises which will be repatriated back to their respective islands.
After a free-time in the town, we take our buses for the “highlands” where we had a succulent lunch; surrounded by lush green vegetation and many finches, is hard to believe we were in the same island.
Different activity choices were made, but we all had the opportunity to see giant tortoises roaming in the wild, just like the first humans who saw these enigmatic reptiles; we were simply astonished by these gentle giants.
Back on board we were greeted by a local folkloric group. They gave us a wonderful show: traditional music, diverse dances, and a variety of dresses that combined for a fantastic way to end this full day on Santa Cruz Island.
Our expedition is coming to its peak and tomorrow awaits us with many more surprises. Keep in touch my dear reader, the best is yet to come.
What a great day we had! Early in the morning we woke up surrounded by these wonderful islands as our ship The Islander repositioned to our next destination of Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the Galápagos. Here is where all efforts for conservation take place by two well known institutions, the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galápagos National Park. Home of the world famous giant tortoises, Santa Cruz provide us with the opportunity to visit them in the wild and also in captivity as these specimens will guarantee the comeback of these species.
As soon as we stepped onto the island we looked around and there were all different kinds of colors: the turquoise bay, blue skies, white cotton-like clouds, black lava, green vegetation; these were the scenery for the welcoming town of Puerto Ayora.
At the research station we were astounded by the massive size of the legendary Lonesome George, the last survivor of Pinta Island. All hard work for the preservation takes place in here as we witness the rearing program and view many, tiny baby tortoises which will be repatriated back to their respective islands.
After a free-time in the town, we take our buses for the “highlands” where we had a succulent lunch; surrounded by lush green vegetation and many finches, is hard to believe we were in the same island.
Different activity choices were made, but we all had the opportunity to see giant tortoises roaming in the wild, just like the first humans who saw these enigmatic reptiles; we were simply astonished by these gentle giants.
Back on board we were greeted by a local folkloric group. They gave us a wonderful show: traditional music, diverse dances, and a variety of dresses that combined for a fantastic way to end this full day on Santa Cruz Island.
Our expedition is coming to its peak and tomorrow awaits us with many more surprises. Keep in touch my dear reader, the best is yet to come.
