Today we visited my home island of Santa Cruz. Nowadays, it is the most populated island in the Galapagos Archipelago. In the morning we visited the giant tortoise breeding center and our guests were delighted to see the baby giant tortoises and to learn about the most successful program run by the Galapagos National Park. There was time to walk through the cozy town of Puerto Ayora. Then we went to the highlands, where we first visited a lava tube, an incredible geological phenomenon, and then headed towards a local farm known as El Trapiche. The afternoon was dedicated to observing Santa Cruz giant tortoises in their natural environment. Getting to experience these gentle giants in such close proximity is an incredible experience. Galapagos is a leading example for Conservation!
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 22 Mar 2019
Santa Cruz Island, 3/22/2019, National Geographic Islander
- Aboard the National Geographic Islander
- Galápagos
Vanessa Gallo, Naturalist
Vanessa Gallo’s grandparents arrived in the Galápagos Islands in 1936, making her the third generation of her family to live and work in this magical archipelago. She left the islands for the capital city of Quito for high school, where she discovere...
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