Our destination today was the Charles Darwin Research Station
at Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the archipelago. On our way
to the rearing center for giant tortoises, we walked through a very green area
full of local vegetation, like the gigantic prickly pear cactus with a trunk-like
a tree.
At the research station, we were able to observe, first-hand,
the steps taken that have made this center so successful. We had the chance to
be very close to the giant tortoises and their babies, as well as the now-famous
tortoise, the mighty Diego.
Later in the morning, we took buses into the highlands of
Santa Cruz for lunch. Many other options were offered, like riding bikes or
riding a bus to a local farm where sugar cane is harvested and converted into
different products like juice, melasa, and of course the basis of rum. There,
we also observed our local organic coffee been processed, harvested, dried,
roasted and grinded. We had the chance to taste all the local products—some guests
had coffee, and many had rum!
Afterwards, we enjoyed a well-deserved tasty meal at a local
restaurant up in the highlands, located at about 900 feet elevation. Many
guests continued exploring the area, while others opted to have a cool drink
and relax back to the town of Puerto Ayora.
Soon after, some of us headed out on a bus ride searching for
Geochelone porteri, Santa
Cruz Island’s endemic species of giant tortoise. We had a great time walking in
the grass, finding tortoises in the area in their natural habitat. We found
some weighing over 400 pounds, with a majestic shell simply staring at us.
Today’s visit was outstanding, and our expedition is about to reach its peak. We are already a big family bonded by the mystical magic called the Galápagos Islands.
