The Galapagos has a political capital which is San Cristobal, however, the island we visited today is the economical capital of the islands. Santa Cruz hosts about fifty percent of our population and it is due to the two main headquarters of the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station.
So, during the morning we had some more time to rest and the excursions started after our always lovely breakfast onboard. The first stop in Santa Cruz is the Breeding Center for the Giant tortoises next to the Darwin Station. This is where our guests could learn a little more about the process these animals follow. Their numbers decreased drastically since the 17th century when people discovered they can survive month or years without food and water, making them a very convenient source of meat besides fish. We found giants, babies, alone or in groups, all kinds of tortoises in captivity.
Later, there was some time for us all to enjoy an opportunity to see how life is on the islands and to shop for a good memory to take back home.
Before lunch we had a chance to see some traditional products made on the islands. El Trapiche offered just that; molasses, brown sugar and rum obtained out of the sugar cane and the delicious Galapagos coffee and its preparation process.
We did come back aboard to enjoy lunch, because we went to a restaurant up in the highlands and later continued with one more walk. So the last activity on Santa Cruz was a walk in a property located in the middle of the wild giant tortoises migrating route.
In the evening, after our guests were satisfied with the dinner, some musicians came aboard to entertain with dancers and Galapagos music.
So that was a day on this inhabited island, full of tortoises and people.
