Santa Cruz Island
This day began hot and sunny, but in the afternoon we all felt the consequences of the hot-rainy season.
The sea was very calm, with little wind and after we disembarked at the Galápagos National Park Service dock we were met by some marine iguanas; as expected during this season, some males were doing the head-shaking behavior, moving their heads up and down continuously.
The visit to the tortoise breeding center was very interesting, especially as we saw the smallest juvenile tortoises crawling in their corrals, like little tanks, over the rocks and boulders where the small ones are kept before being released to their original islands. During this season days can be sunny and a little hot, but this did not stop us from enjoying the wonders of nature and learning more about the different breeding programs going on.
After this visit we walked through Puerto Ayora, where some were almost tempted to fall into a “shopping-frenzy,” but it was finally under control. A short stop at a local restaurant to rest and drink a cool glass of juice was all we needed before getting back to the adventure.
As we travelled to the highlands we began to feel the different weather; in the beginning it was cooler, and then a little wet, just a few drops, and finally we felt the effects of the rainy season with pouring rain. When we got off the bus to see the giant tortoises in the wild it was time for the raincoats to be tested; well some raincoats, like mine, proved not to be so effective and I ended soaking wet. However, it was worth it – after we got off the bus we saw several tortoises in the wild feeding in front of us, paying no attention to the pouring rain around them. The rubber boots we were wearing worked well and at least all of us kept our feet dry.
After we finished the visit to the tortoises in the wild and descended from the highlands we could see the sun in the coastal area; not a single drop of water had fallen over the main town of Puerto Ayora, a very good example of the weather system in the Galápagos.
During the evening a local music group came onboard and played different songs for us; it was the perfect ending for a day filled with adventures and great learning experiences.
