Our first full day spent exploring this enchanted archipelago was filled with surprises. After breakfast, we walked along the beach of Gardner Bay to enjoy a colony of friendly sea lions. We got to know some of the famous birds that Darwin observed during his visit to this island, such as finches and mockingbirds. Afterwards, we practiced snorkeling and enjoyed swimming in the turquoise waters of the bay. In the afternoon, we visited Punta Suarez, one of the most amazing sites in the Galapagos. We saw marine iguanas basking on the rocks, blue-footed boobies, frigates, seagulls, and a great colony of Nazca boobies. The day’s highlight was a few waved albatrosses, a bird that usually migrates at this time of the year. We finished our day of incredible experiences with the tame wildlife and the spectacular scenery of this volcanic archipelago.
1/21/2025
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Santa Cruz Island
We had a day full of wildlife encounters mixed with unique and fun cultural experiences on Santa Cruz Island. From the town of Puerto Ayora, we got on buses to visit El Trapiche Farm. It’s an interactive farm where our guests had the opportunity to learn about the process of sugarcane, cocoa, and coffee production. These activities are displayed by a local family that has followed these traditions for many generations. Our guests took part in these activities by helping to extract sugarcane juice, roasting coffee in an old-fashioned way, and distilling sugarcane liqueur. It was definitely a fun way for our guests to interact with the locals while learning how they make a living from farming. And as an extra bonus, we saw a barn owl sitting on a beam of the interior of the building’s roof. After visiting El Trapiche, our guests had a great time seeing the emblematic giant tortoises roaming freely by Manzanillo Ranch. We saw tortoises wandering around, some inside a mud pond, and even a mating couple. It was a spectacular way to end another day in the Galapagos.
