Santa Cruz Island
This morning we disembarked to the village of Puerto Ayora (Our guide Rafael likes to called it: “Rafaelito’s Village”) at what seemed the unholy hour of about 8 AM, and did not return until the sun had begun to set around 4pm. This was our first all-day expedition – off the ship even for lunch, which we had at a delightful restaurant inland from the village – and although both the sun and some drizzle took their toll, everyone had a wonderful time.
The expedition began at the Charles Darwin Research Institute where we saw land tortoises at all stages of life. The youngest ones were dubbed the 2005 batch as they were only ten days old, and already had their shells marked with numbers and colors corresponding to age and which island they would be released “back into.” Not to be forgotten, there were also some land iguanas being reproduced in captivity. These iguanas were bright orange, and it was nice to get a close up look as they were scarce and secretive on the first day’s Zodiac ride. We also met Lonesome George, last of the Pinta land tortoises, and Ramiro (one of our guides on board) gave a very detailed, very graphic story about the Institute’s reproduction efforts.
In the afternoon – after lunch and a rousing game of volleyball in which the winning team edged out by a score of 11-9, thanks to the menacing serve of one of our fellow guest, Kate Hartgering, and Rafael’s sloppy play – we headed further into the highlands. Some groups went to see the craters, which actually turned out to be magma sink holes, and met everyone else at the “tortoise territory,” a large farm and natural habitat for giant land tortoises. The trip also featured a beautiful sighting of the vermillion fly catcher, a beautiful red and black bird, who even posed on the back of a tortoise for us!
The village of Puerto Ayora was a beautiful sight this time of year – at the beginning of the rainy season. The flowers of the season stunningly complimented vibrant colors of houses and shops. Amidst the seemingly endless souvenir and T-shirt shops were several delightful galleries featuring unique and beautiful work of local artists.
This morning we disembarked to the village of Puerto Ayora (Our guide Rafael likes to called it: “Rafaelito’s Village”) at what seemed the unholy hour of about 8 AM, and did not return until the sun had begun to set around 4pm. This was our first all-day expedition – off the ship even for lunch, which we had at a delightful restaurant inland from the village – and although both the sun and some drizzle took their toll, everyone had a wonderful time.
The expedition began at the Charles Darwin Research Institute where we saw land tortoises at all stages of life. The youngest ones were dubbed the 2005 batch as they were only ten days old, and already had their shells marked with numbers and colors corresponding to age and which island they would be released “back into.” Not to be forgotten, there were also some land iguanas being reproduced in captivity. These iguanas were bright orange, and it was nice to get a close up look as they were scarce and secretive on the first day’s Zodiac ride. We also met Lonesome George, last of the Pinta land tortoises, and Ramiro (one of our guides on board) gave a very detailed, very graphic story about the Institute’s reproduction efforts.
In the afternoon – after lunch and a rousing game of volleyball in which the winning team edged out by a score of 11-9, thanks to the menacing serve of one of our fellow guest, Kate Hartgering, and Rafael’s sloppy play – we headed further into the highlands. Some groups went to see the craters, which actually turned out to be magma sink holes, and met everyone else at the “tortoise territory,” a large farm and natural habitat for giant land tortoises. The trip also featured a beautiful sighting of the vermillion fly catcher, a beautiful red and black bird, who even posed on the back of a tortoise for us!
The village of Puerto Ayora was a beautiful sight this time of year – at the beginning of the rainy season. The flowers of the season stunningly complimented vibrant colors of houses and shops. Amidst the seemingly endless souvenir and T-shirt shops were several delightful galleries featuring unique and beautiful work of local artists.
