Today we visited my home island: Santa Cruz. The morning started with a visit to the giant tortoise-breeding center. Here our guests learned about the hard work and dedication of scientists and park rangers, who through the decades have worked to restore the numbers of the emblematic animals of the Galapagos. Here our guests can wander around town, buy souvenirs, and take pictures of local life. The afternoon was dedicated to exploring the highlands, where big lava tubes are found, so we visited one. There was also an optional visit to a local school, a local farm, and the best part of the day—visiting the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. What a great day in paradise! Galapagos is one of the best-managed national parks in the world.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 04 Jul 2018
Santa Cruz Island, 7/4/2018, 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...
Read MoreSteve Ewing, Videographer
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Steve fell in love with the beauty of the natural world at an early age. In addition to nature, his other main passion was telling stories though the medium of television and radio. Steve studied broadcast jo...
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