Santa Cruz Island
Our day on Isla Santa Cruz was full of an amazing variety of activities, and unlike any of the others we’ve experienced since we set sail in the Galápagos. We started out with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station in the vibrant town of Puerto Ayora, where we learned about the ambitious tortoise breeding and conservation programs. Our visits, accompanied by interpretations from our Naturalists, allowed us to experience the life and personalities of tortoises—both young and old—up close and personal. Lonesome George and feisty Diego, each famous, but for different reasons, gave us the sense that we were really getting to know these beautiful creatures. Yellow warblers, Galápagos flycatchers, and three species of Darwin’s finches graced our presence as well.
After lunch, a cool swim and even some volleyball at the cool highlands retreat “Altair,” we searched for tortoises in the wild, and were delighted by the sight of these almost otherworldly creatures, who roamed unconstrained in their native habitat. Some of us visited “Los Gemelos,” a pair of huge pit craters surrounded by an endemic Scalesia forest teeming with Galápagos doves, Galápagos mockingbirds, warbler and vegetarian finches (and at least one vermillion flycatcher).
Before returning to the Polaris, some of us chose to stay in town to explore the shops and local culture. Our evening recap included a very special presentation by Roslyn Cameron of the Charles Darwin Foundation, who outlined the successes and challenges of conservation of the unique and fragile ecosystems of the Galápagos Archipelago.
Our magical day concluded with a performance of traditional Ecuadorian music and dance by local performers who came aboard ship. It was a day filled with the natural, scientific, and cultural splendors of the Galápagos.
Our day on Isla Santa Cruz was full of an amazing variety of activities, and unlike any of the others we’ve experienced since we set sail in the Galápagos. We started out with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station in the vibrant town of Puerto Ayora, where we learned about the ambitious tortoise breeding and conservation programs. Our visits, accompanied by interpretations from our Naturalists, allowed us to experience the life and personalities of tortoises—both young and old—up close and personal. Lonesome George and feisty Diego, each famous, but for different reasons, gave us the sense that we were really getting to know these beautiful creatures. Yellow warblers, Galápagos flycatchers, and three species of Darwin’s finches graced our presence as well.
After lunch, a cool swim and even some volleyball at the cool highlands retreat “Altair,” we searched for tortoises in the wild, and were delighted by the sight of these almost otherworldly creatures, who roamed unconstrained in their native habitat. Some of us visited “Los Gemelos,” a pair of huge pit craters surrounded by an endemic Scalesia forest teeming with Galápagos doves, Galápagos mockingbirds, warbler and vegetarian finches (and at least one vermillion flycatcher).
Before returning to the Polaris, some of us chose to stay in town to explore the shops and local culture. Our evening recap included a very special presentation by Roslyn Cameron of the Charles Darwin Foundation, who outlined the successes and challenges of conservation of the unique and fragile ecosystems of the Galápagos Archipelago.
Our magical day concluded with a performance of traditional Ecuadorian music and dance by local performers who came aboard ship. It was a day filled with the natural, scientific, and cultural splendors of the Galápagos.
