Santa Cruz Island
Today we started our day in Academy Bay, on the south end of Santa Cruz Island. After our breakfast we headed to the giant tortoise breeding center, which is one of the most successful conservation programs in the world. There we learned how the National Park rangers succeeded in the laborious mission of breeding tortoises in captivity, simulating the same conditions that they find in the wild. Also we had the chance to meet two of the most famous tortoises in the world, which are lonesome George (last individual from Pinta Island species) and Diego (most successful breeder from Española Island). The weather was not so warm, making the visit very enjoyable.
Later on we continued our journey in the highlands of Santa Cruz. We made a stop at a locally owned sugar mill, where we learned how they process the sugarcane into several very tasty products such as raw sugar, sugar cane liquor, and organic coffee. After this very instructive stop we continued higher up into the highlands to visit Miguel Angel Arias Farm, which is located in the migration path of the giant tortoises. After passing through a, impressive lava tunnel that ended right next to the farm’s restaurant where we were delighted with a succulent lunch surrounded by beautiful gardens.
In the afternoon we visited Steve Divine’s farm, which is great place to find tortoises. Giant tortoises are the largest reptiles that move in these vast green lands were food supply is available in every direction. This is the reason of why this farm decided to leave a preserved area for this great herbivorous. Some of them may reach 180 years old weighing 500 pounds, males are the largest, females are smaller with some shiny carapaces and some are recognizable at the distance. The day was overcast at that time, conditions typical of the Garua season (drizzling season), which is about to start.
At the end of the afternoon some of our guest decided to head back to the National Geographic Islander, meanwhile others spent more time in Puerto Ayora’s downtown for last call shopping. We had a great day on Santa Cruz Island.
