Santa Cruz & North Seymour Islands
Today the morning started with a gorgeous sunrise, and we were ready for an early expedition to the giant tortoise reserve. After walking a two mile round trip during which we found at least thirty of these giant reptiles that once dominated the landscape of the archipelago of the Galápagos, we went on to explore magnificent lava tunnels. These incredible geological formations were originated when the flowing lava was drained by gravity towards the ocean, leaving behind these hollow chambers.
A delicious breakfast was awaiting us in the restaurant at the end of the lava tunnel; with a spectacular view of the island from the mountains of Santa Cruz. We went downhill to the village of Puerto Ayora where some of our guests were right at home shopping and relaxing in the local bars with a cold beer. Afterwards, we came back to the Islander for lunch.
At four o’clock in the afternoon, we started our expedition to the island of North Seymour, where we found a great number of land iguanas. These rare endemic reptiles were taken from the island of Baltra in 1932 and 1933 and left behind by the American naturalist Alan Hancock; since that time, they have done well and allowed the restoration of the population of Baltra that became extinct during WWII. It is now known that some of them lived for about sixty years.
Seabirds such as the magnificent and great frigatebirds were performing their romantic courtships as were the blue-footed boobies. Marine iguanas were found just warming up in the last sunlight of the day. Galápagos sea lion females were nursing their pups along of the shore.
What a spectacular day we spent in the Galápagos, and we were ready for a recap and briefing about the following day’s activities.
Today the morning started with a gorgeous sunrise, and we were ready for an early expedition to the giant tortoise reserve. After walking a two mile round trip during which we found at least thirty of these giant reptiles that once dominated the landscape of the archipelago of the Galápagos, we went on to explore magnificent lava tunnels. These incredible geological formations were originated when the flowing lava was drained by gravity towards the ocean, leaving behind these hollow chambers.
A delicious breakfast was awaiting us in the restaurant at the end of the lava tunnel; with a spectacular view of the island from the mountains of Santa Cruz. We went downhill to the village of Puerto Ayora where some of our guests were right at home shopping and relaxing in the local bars with a cold beer. Afterwards, we came back to the Islander for lunch.
At four o’clock in the afternoon, we started our expedition to the island of North Seymour, where we found a great number of land iguanas. These rare endemic reptiles were taken from the island of Baltra in 1932 and 1933 and left behind by the American naturalist Alan Hancock; since that time, they have done well and allowed the restoration of the population of Baltra that became extinct during WWII. It is now known that some of them lived for about sixty years.
Seabirds such as the magnificent and great frigatebirds were performing their romantic courtships as were the blue-footed boobies. Marine iguanas were found just warming up in the last sunlight of the day. Galápagos sea lion females were nursing their pups along of the shore.
What a spectacular day we spent in the Galápagos, and we were ready for a recap and briefing about the following day’s activities.
