Today was dedicated in its totality to the beyond compare Galapagos Giant Tortoises. All our guests had high hopes to see the giant reptiles of the Galapagos on their home islands in the wilderness. Right after breakfast we started our expedition. Santa Cruz Island is the base for the two main institutions that work as partners in the preservation of this enchanted archipelago. The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) which is an Ecuadorian governmental organization and the world renowned Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) both established in 1959. The latter institutions work together to collect, incubate, reproduce, repatriate and ultimately save from extinction some of the vanishing Galapagos Giant tortoises subspecies.
After disembarking at the Galapagos National Park dock and a short walk, we arrived to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s Tortoise Breeding Center. We admired the many juvenile little tortoises that, as adults, will repopulate the islands with their descendants.
Later we admired Diego, a famous tortoise. This tortoise lived in the San Diego Zoo for many decades before coming back to the Galapagos with the mission of saving his fading race by creating competition and becoming the prolific father of hundreds of tortoises.
After visiting the Darwin Center we had the delight to stroll along the colorful streets of Puerto Ayora, capital of Santa Cruz Island to enjoy and take part of the routine activities of the community. The fishermen’s wharf is one of the most interesting places to visit. Today dozens of Brown pelicans and some Galapagos sea lions were around the fishermen, who were cutting fish, with the hope to win a morsel. Around noon we went by bus to the highlands to continue with the planned activities of the day. Before lunch we made a brief but interesting stop before arriving at the restaurant. We visited a sugar cane mill where a local Galapagos family showed us how they process and make a living by growing sugar cane and coffee on their property.
We even had time after this visit to cross a long lava tunnel that is very strategically located; it finishes right in front of the restaurant’s entrance! After lunch we boarded the buses and we went to look for Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild. We had a great time photographing and observing several gentle giants that were all over the place.
In the evening after dinner, visiting local dancers and musicians put on a golden finale to this day in paradise with their cheerful music and choreography. Following the performance, we went to bed. We were a little tired after this marvelous long day, but with our hearts reloaded with new feelings that will stay in our minds forever.
