The National Geographic Endeavor II anchored early in the morning at Academy Bay, Santa Cruz Island, the most populous of the islands in the archipelago.
By bus we arrived at the Charles Darwin Research Station and the National Park facilities. This is where the breeding center of young tortoises is located, where baby tortoises are raised for up to four years, and then released in the island of their origin. It is quite an interesting experience to follow the scientific progress that the scientists achieve in this program, which has saved the species of giant tortoises of different islands from extinction.
After our informative visit to the National Park facilities, we had some free time to spend in town. Our guests enjoyed the opportunity to experience the local culture, buying souvenirs or visiting the fish market. Afterwards, we drove up to the highlands for the experience of a lifetime, the visit to El Trapiche farm, where our guests learned how to dry coffee and to produce sugar cane alcohol in a rudimentary way. This was not only about learning the technique, but also helps us to understand the lifestyle of the human population of the archipelago.
Our day ended with the most surprising encounter with giant tortoises in the wild. Walking beside then, feeling their energy, all this surrounded by green vegetation, mix of tall endemic trees and grassland. It was an incredible opportunity to see these amazing creatures throughout their whole life cycle, from tiny babies in tanks at the Research Station, to full grown adults roaming in the wild.
