The trip is coming to an end, but before it is over the National Geographic Islander took us to the first inhabited island where we will set foot on.
The Galapagos has a political capital, San Cristobal, however the island we visited today is the economical capital of the islands. Santa Cruz hosts about 50% of our population and it is because the main headquarters of the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station are here.
During the early morning we had some time to rest, and the excursions started after our always lovely breakfast onboard. The first stop in Santa Cruz was the Breeding Canter for the giant tortoises next to the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is where our guests could learn a little more about the process these animals follow before their reintroduction to the islands. Their numbers decreased drastically since the 17th century when people discovered their ability to survive months or years without food and water, making them a very convenient source of meat. We found real giants, babies, alone and in groups, several species of tortoises in captivity.
After seeing the tortoises there was some time to see how life is on the islands along the main street of the town, and to shop for a good memory of the experience on this archipelago.
Before lunch we had time to see some traditional products made on the islands. El Trapiche showed us molasses, brown sugar and rum obtained out of the sugar cane and the delicious Galapagos coffee and its process for preparation.
We did not have to come back home to enjoy lunch, because we went to a restaurant up on the highlands where we were able to continue searching for giant tortoises after eating. These giant tortoises were especially amazing since we found them in the wild.
It was quite a day on Santa Cruz, full of tortoises, people, and happiness.
