Today we visited Santa Cruz Island, and in the morning, we went to the giant tortoise breeding center, where it was feeding time. The giant tortoises were restless as they were anticipating the lush green leaves that were finally brought to the feeding platforms. Our guests learned a lot about the conservation efforts in order to reestablish the numbers of the emblematic animals of the Galapagos Archipelago. Then there was time to spend in the cozy town of Puerto Ayora and help the local economy. We boarded the buses and headed to the Highlands; the first stop was at the lava tube and then we paid a visit to a local farm, known as El Trapiche, where they grow sugar cane and coffee among other produce. It was fun to try the moonshine and a good cup of coffee. After lunch at Rancho El Manzanillo we all enjoyed a walk among the Santa Cruz giant tortoises, where every guest was able to have a one-to-one, as there were so many tortoises up there.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 15 Nov 2019
Santa Cruz Island, 11/15/2019, National Geographic Islander
- Aboard the National Geographic Islander
- Galápagos
Paul McFarling, Naturalist
Paul is British, born of an English father and a French mother, and was brought up in West London, England. In 1984, he came to Galápagos twice to visit his brother, who was a Naturalist Guide there at the time. This sparked off a yearning for these ...
Read MoreJames Napoli, Videographer
Jim was born in rural New England where he quickly developed an appreciation for the outdoors and a love of exploration. Four years with the U.S. Navy further enhanced his appetite for travel. Always interested in the visual arts, he studied Televis...
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