All our visitors had high expectations to see the giant reptiles of the Galapagos. Today we had an unparalleled experience to see the Galápagos Giant tortoises in their home islands.
Santa Cruz Island is the base for the two main institutions that work as partners in the preservation of this enchanted archipelago. The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), which is an Ecuadorian governmental organization, and the world renowned Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) were both established in 1959. These institutions work closely together in the processes of collecting, incubating, reproducing, and ultimately saving some of the vanishing Galapagos Giant tortoise subspecies from extinction.
After disembarking at the main dock of Puerto Ayora, capital of the island, we took a short bus ride and after a short walk we arrived at the Galapagos National Park Breeding Center. We admired with fascination the many juvenile tortoises which, as adults, will repopulate the islands little by little with their descendants. We observed many other adults as well, including the famous tortoise nicknamed Super Diego. The latter is an individual from Española Island who lived in the San Diego Zoo for more than forty two years and came back to help save the vanishing race of Española Island. Before Diego’s arrival there were just a handful of tortoises left on that island. He became the proud father of thousands of giant tortoises!
After visiting the Darwin Center we had the pleasure to stroll along the vibrant streets of Puerto Ayora. We enjoyed and took part in the routine activities of the community. The fishermen’s dock is one of the most interesting and amusing places to visit. Today dozens of Brown pelicans and some Galapagos sea lions surrounded the fishermen cutting fish, with the hope to obtain a morsel.
Later in the morning we went by bus to the highlands to continue with the planned activities of the day. Before lunch we made a couple of brief, but meaningful stops before arriving at the restaurant where we had our lunch. We visited a traditional sugar cane press. In this place a local Galápagos family showed us how they make a living by growing and processing sugar cane and coffee on their property. We visited a lava tunnel as well.
After lunch we went to look for Galapagos Giant tortoises in their natural habitat. We had a great time photographing and observing several of the gentle giants that were roaming all around us.
In the evening after dinner, local dancers and musicians came to the ship, putting a golden finale to this day in paradise with joyful music and choreography.
