Santa Cruz Island: The highlands and the Tortoise Breeding Center
This day began clear and warm, with few clouds in the sky. We had many activities, from visiting the Tortoise Breeding Center and the Charles Darwin Research Station to biking in the highlands of Santa Cruz.
As usual during this time of the year, the sea was very calm, with little wind, and after we disembarked at the Galápagos National Park Service dock we walked to see the Tortoise Breeding Program that has been very successful in reintroducing thousands of tortoises to the wild. As we walked to see the “baby” tortoises we passed an opuntia cacti forest, with cacti of different sizes, from very little ones to the giants that are considered among the tallest in the world.
We saw the smallest juvenile tortoises crawling in their corrals, some born a few months ago, as other older tortoises moved over the rocks at what seemed to be high speed in the tortoise world. As we began very early, it was hot, but not hot enough to stop us from wondering about the unique nature and biology of these “babies” that one day will become as giant as their ancestors.
We observed Lonesome George in his corral, resting in a small pond, and then had the chance to see the rest of the tortoises kept in this area, all moving slowly but determinedly around their corrals.
For some, shopping was a must-do activity and they found a wide variety of souvenirs; others just walked through town. Then we headed to a restaurant in the highlands for lunch. The bikers got a lot more exercise on the way than the rest of us, who travelled by bus; nevertheless we all met at the same place for an enjoyable lunch.
After lunch it was time for our next adventure: observing the giant tortoises in the wild. The weather did play a small trick on us when it rained for twenty minutes; but a well-prepared person is ready for this situation, and we had our rubber boots to cope with the muddy terrain. It was also time to use our raincoats and go out there and observe these giants in their natural habitat.
After this visit we descended from the highlands, arriving back to Puerto Ayora and taking our Zodiacs to the National Geographic Endeavour. As expected, when we arrived we had some cookies to eat; some of us had been missing the desserts from the ship!
During the evening a local music group came onboard and played for us.
