Today we had a truly fulfilling experience with the famous giant tortoises of the Galapagos. We woke up prepared to enjoy these amazing reptiles, but we did not know we would find so many of them in the wild when we visited the highlands of Santa Cruz. Everywhere we looked, there were dozens, either feeding on grass or drinking water from the little pond at Manzanillo, our visitor site in the afternoon.
The morning had already rewarded us with the different Galapagos subspecies that live at the Galapagos National Park Service’s giant tortoise breeding center, but the afternoon was even more delightful. There is nothing like observing a species in its natural habitat.
We also got a taste of Galapagos culture by exploring the town of Puerto Ayora, spending time at the fishermen’s dock and at a sugarcane press as well. In the evening, a talented group of musicians came aboard the National Geographic Endeavour to share with us their folk songs and dances.
It was a fantastic day for all!
