One of the main attractions of the Galapagos Islands is the unparalleled experience to see the Galápagos Giant Tortoises in their home islands. Our guests always have high expectations to see the giant reptiles of the Galapagos in the wilderness.
After disembarking at the main dock of Puerto Ayora, a short bus ride and a short walk we arrived at the Galapagos National Park Breeding Center. We admired with fascination the many juvenile tortoises that, as adults, will repopulate the islands slowly, but surely.
Santa Cruz Island is the homebase for the two main institutions that work as partners in the preservation of this enchanted archipelago. The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), which is an Ecuadorian governmental organization, and the world renowned Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) were both established in 1959. The institutions work closely together in the processes of collecting, incubating, reproducing and ultimately saving some of the vanishing Galapagos Giant tortoises’ subspecies from extinction.
After visiting the Darwin Center we had the pleasure to stroll along the vibrant streets of Puerto Ayora. We enjoyed taking part in some of the activities of the community. The fishermen’s dock is one of the most interesting and amusing places to visit. Today dozens of Brown pelicans and some Galapagos sea lions were surrounding the fishermen, who were cutting fish, with the hope of obtaining a morsel.
Later on in the morning we went by bus to the highlands to continue with the planned activities of the day. Before lunch we made a brief, but meaningful stop before arriving at the restaurant where we had our lunch. We visited a traditional sugar cane press. In this place a local Galápagos family showed us how they make a living by growing and processing sugar cane and coffee on their property.
After lunch we boarded the buses and we went to look for Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. We had a great time photographing and observing several of these gentle giants who ambling all around us. We even had time to cross a short, but beautiful lava tunnel that is strategically located in the middle of the fields where we observed the tortoises.
In the evening after dinner local dancers and musicians came to the ship, putting on a wonderful show with joyful music and choreography. It was a golden finale to this day in paradise. After the performance we all went to bed satisfied at having had marvelous new experiences and sightings in one of the ultimate natural paradises on earth.
