Santa Cruz Island
Today we started our day anchored at Academy Bay, located at the Southern end of Santa Cruz Island. Early in the morning we disembarked at the Galapagos National Park Dock, where we spotted several fiberglass speedboats that serve to patrol the Galapagos Marine Reserve, which happens to be the third largest in the world.
After a short walk we got to the Giant Tortoises breeding center, where we learned about how the Darwin research station scientists and the Park rangers breed these emblematic chelonians in captivity. We were lucky to find the most successful reproducer from Espanola Island, Diego. Right after our morning visit we had a little free time to wander around Puerto Ayora and do some shopping to support the local economy of the islands.
On our way to Santa Cruz’s highlands we stopped by a locally owned sugar mill. There we learned how the Cabrera family processes the sugar cane to get molasses, raw sugar and the very popular sugar cane firewater. They also grow and roast their own Galapagos organic coffee. We got the chance to taste all of these local delicacies. Shortly after we continued to the restaurant Aquelarre, which means Covent; mythical place where the witches gather for their meetings.
After lunch we went to the El Manzanillo ranch which is a private land left as Giant Tortoise reserve. There we spotted several giant tortoises walking freely around the farms located in the highlands, creating great opportunities to take great pictures of these reptiles.
At the end of the afternoon we headed back to town for last minute shopping and then back to the National Geographic Endeavour to end another day in paradise.
