Santa Cruz Island
Found on Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora today is far from the isolated places we have visited the previous days on the different islands. Its activity and its people do not differ much from any other town in mainland Ecuador... a surprise to some of our guests that had no idea the Galápagos had such a great number of human residents.
We set off to visit the Darwin Foundation and learn about the importance of conservation of unique places like these islands. As we walked along the giant tortoise corrals we tell the story of how these incredible creatures have been saved from extinction; we also talked about why Lonesome George might not be so lonesome anymore; and how the research done by the Darwin Station is what provides a scientific foundation for the management of the Galápagos National Park.
The afternoon took us to a different environment, the pit craters and the Scalesia forest of the highlands where we had a wonderful opportunity to look at the vermillion flycatcher. We actually saw three of them flying around us and posing for pictures - incredible!
Tortoise territory also greeted us with at least 16 individuals in the nearby area, no need to get wet or walk long distances to be able to find these impressive creatures roaming free in the grasses of their natural habitat. The Galápagos giant tortoises have become an icon for conservation in the Galápagos; the message has been received and our guests are happy to return to the ship having witnessed the efforts being made for the preservation of the islands.
Found on Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora today is far from the isolated places we have visited the previous days on the different islands. Its activity and its people do not differ much from any other town in mainland Ecuador... a surprise to some of our guests that had no idea the Galápagos had such a great number of human residents.
We set off to visit the Darwin Foundation and learn about the importance of conservation of unique places like these islands. As we walked along the giant tortoise corrals we tell the story of how these incredible creatures have been saved from extinction; we also talked about why Lonesome George might not be so lonesome anymore; and how the research done by the Darwin Station is what provides a scientific foundation for the management of the Galápagos National Park.
The afternoon took us to a different environment, the pit craters and the Scalesia forest of the highlands where we had a wonderful opportunity to look at the vermillion flycatcher. We actually saw three of them flying around us and posing for pictures - incredible!
Tortoise territory also greeted us with at least 16 individuals in the nearby area, no need to get wet or walk long distances to be able to find these impressive creatures roaming free in the grasses of their natural habitat. The Galápagos giant tortoises have become an icon for conservation in the Galápagos; the message has been received and our guests are happy to return to the ship having witnessed the efforts being made for the preservation of the islands.
