Santa Cruz Island
The island lay astride us and even though we were still an hour to our destination, our guests could ascertain that Santa Cruz is a big island. The upper half of this old volcano disappeared under a heavy cover of clouds, product of the Garúa season which is active at the moment. Later on, at Puerto Ayora we started our exploration into the headquarters of the Galápagos Park Service where, the giant tortoise’s protection program is ran in partnership with the Charles Darwin Research Station. Visiting the tortoises in captivity gave all our guests the opportunity to know first hand the natural history of these ancient reptiles. Of course we took the chance to pay a visit to Lonesome George. This particular tortoise, being the last one of the island of Pinta has risen great expectations worldwide after a dozen eggs were found in the pen he shares with two females in an effort to repopulate this island. While visiting this area we also were in the presence of finches and mockingbirds, experiencing the simplicity and beauty of the local flora.
In the afternoon, a rather chilly southeastern wind blew onto the highlands of Santa Cruz and accumulated in garúa clouds. Armed with ponchos, rubber boots, cameras in hand and great determination, we went for the giant tortoises in the wild. The garúa was refreshing or rather invigorating to all of us. It was a serene visit to a place where time has somehow come to a stop, but moreover a place where we are taking the time to intake part of the many mysteries of the Galápagos.
The island lay astride us and even though we were still an hour to our destination, our guests could ascertain that Santa Cruz is a big island. The upper half of this old volcano disappeared under a heavy cover of clouds, product of the Garúa season which is active at the moment. Later on, at Puerto Ayora we started our exploration into the headquarters of the Galápagos Park Service where, the giant tortoise’s protection program is ran in partnership with the Charles Darwin Research Station. Visiting the tortoises in captivity gave all our guests the opportunity to know first hand the natural history of these ancient reptiles. Of course we took the chance to pay a visit to Lonesome George. This particular tortoise, being the last one of the island of Pinta has risen great expectations worldwide after a dozen eggs were found in the pen he shares with two females in an effort to repopulate this island. While visiting this area we also were in the presence of finches and mockingbirds, experiencing the simplicity and beauty of the local flora.
In the afternoon, a rather chilly southeastern wind blew onto the highlands of Santa Cruz and accumulated in garúa clouds. Armed with ponchos, rubber boots, cameras in hand and great determination, we went for the giant tortoises in the wild. The garúa was refreshing or rather invigorating to all of us. It was a serene visit to a place where time has somehow come to a stop, but moreover a place where we are taking the time to intake part of the many mysteries of the Galápagos.
