Tomorrow is Christmas. Our destination today was the Charles Darwin Research Station at the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the archipelago.

Today was very busy for everybody is getting ready to share a very special day for our community and families. The weather was nice for walking, a bit overcast – the cloud cover known as an inversion layer - overhead with a gentle cool breeze. On our way to the rearing center for giant tortoises, we walked through a very green area full of local vegetation like the gigantic prickly pear cactus with a trunk like a tree.

At the research station, we were able to observe the steps taken that have made this center so successful. We had the chance to be very close to the giant tortoises and their babies, such as the mighty Diego.

Later in the morning, we took buses into the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch. Many other options were offered, like riding bikes, visiting a local school to learn about our education system, or reaching a local hacienda where sugar cane and coffee are harvested and processed in different products like melasa, brown sugar, and rum.  Afterwards we had a well-deserved tasty meal at a local restaurant located about 900 feet away. Some of us continued exploring the area while others opted to have a cool drink and relax.

Soon after some of us continued our bus ride searching for Geochelone porteri, Santa Cruz Island’s endemic species of giant tortoise. We had a great time walking in the tall grass finding tortoises in the area in their natural habitat. We counted a few, including a reptile of over 400 pounds with a majestic shell, simply staring at us.

Today’s visit was outstanding, and our expedition is about to reach its peak. We are already a big family bounded by the mystical magic called the Galápagos Islands.