Santa Cruz Island
Only two island groups in the world are inhabited by giant tortoises: Aldabra Island in the Seychelles, and the Galápagos Islands. Today was a tortoise’s day! Santa Cruz, which is my home island, has a large and healthy population of these gigantic creatures. Here you also find the headquarters of the Galápagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station who are partners in conservation and work to restore and protect the island flora and fauna. Indeed we are extremely proud of what these two organizations have done for the preservation of this unique Archipelago. This morning we visited the captive breeding center where giant tortoises are raised to be repatriated to the islands of their origin. Our guests were delighted to see these fascinating reptiles of all ages and sizes.
The afternoon found us in the highlands where we enjoyed an abundant and delightful lunch with a spectacular view and then explored a lava tunnel. Boarding the buses again we drove down toward the tortoise reserve where we encountered many tortoises in their natural habitat. Some were feeding on the lush grasses, others taking a siesta and a couple more were soaking in a small pond to cool down and have a drink of the muddy water.
After a final chance to stroll through town, shopping at the many charming small stores, we boarded the Zodiacs and came back to our “home away from home,” the National Geographic Islander. It had been an enjoyable and successful day and we were already dreaming of the adventures to come.
Only two island groups in the world are inhabited by giant tortoises: Aldabra Island in the Seychelles, and the Galápagos Islands. Today was a tortoise’s day! Santa Cruz, which is my home island, has a large and healthy population of these gigantic creatures. Here you also find the headquarters of the Galápagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station who are partners in conservation and work to restore and protect the island flora and fauna. Indeed we are extremely proud of what these two organizations have done for the preservation of this unique Archipelago. This morning we visited the captive breeding center where giant tortoises are raised to be repatriated to the islands of their origin. Our guests were delighted to see these fascinating reptiles of all ages and sizes.
The afternoon found us in the highlands where we enjoyed an abundant and delightful lunch with a spectacular view and then explored a lava tunnel. Boarding the buses again we drove down toward the tortoise reserve where we encountered many tortoises in their natural habitat. Some were feeding on the lush grasses, others taking a siesta and a couple more were soaking in a small pond to cool down and have a drink of the muddy water.
After a final chance to stroll through town, shopping at the many charming small stores, we boarded the Zodiacs and came back to our “home away from home,” the National Geographic Islander. It had been an enjoyable and successful day and we were already dreaming of the adventures to come.
