Santa Cruz Island
The island we visited today is the second largest in the archipelago and it is where the town of Puerto Ayora has been developed. This town lies right next to the sea and holds the largest human population in the archipelago. The vibrant village has several attractions: small shops, bars, restaurants and hotels, and an impressive bay surrounded by sharp cliffs full of flora and fauna endemic to this archipelago. The harbour had several boats this morning, but it was hard for us to see them due to the intense mist that was in the area. As we made our way to the main dock, we saw several sailboats visiting the archipelago, while boobies, pelicans, and sea lions were using some of the uninhabited boats as resting areas.
Today, besides taking pleasure in a bit of the pulsating life of this town, we visited the emblematic Galápagos giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station. It was our chance to get to know the ongoing programs to protect this emblematic reptile, but we also got the chance to observe them in the wild, especially when a laud “mating male” was heard lively in the near by bushes up in the highlands.
On the top of the island we were marvelled with the magnificent view of the “Gemelos,” which are two huge sink holes of volcanic origin covered now with the unique Galápagos giant daisy. This special plant evolved so much from its original ancestor that instead of a small shrub, it has become a very tall tree, reaching heights of about thirty six feet! Every giant daisy’s tree is covered with lichens, mosses, Galápagos orchids and ferns, usually where tree finches build their nests.
Besides taking a mental picture of the incredible greenery, we also loved the fresh cooling breeze that came through the trees, bringing up the sweet smell of flowers and the songs of several birds.
We are looking forward to explore and learn more from this unique paradise called Galápagos!
The island we visited today is the second largest in the archipelago and it is where the town of Puerto Ayora has been developed. This town lies right next to the sea and holds the largest human population in the archipelago. The vibrant village has several attractions: small shops, bars, restaurants and hotels, and an impressive bay surrounded by sharp cliffs full of flora and fauna endemic to this archipelago. The harbour had several boats this morning, but it was hard for us to see them due to the intense mist that was in the area. As we made our way to the main dock, we saw several sailboats visiting the archipelago, while boobies, pelicans, and sea lions were using some of the uninhabited boats as resting areas.
Today, besides taking pleasure in a bit of the pulsating life of this town, we visited the emblematic Galápagos giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station. It was our chance to get to know the ongoing programs to protect this emblematic reptile, but we also got the chance to observe them in the wild, especially when a laud “mating male” was heard lively in the near by bushes up in the highlands.
On the top of the island we were marvelled with the magnificent view of the “Gemelos,” which are two huge sink holes of volcanic origin covered now with the unique Galápagos giant daisy. This special plant evolved so much from its original ancestor that instead of a small shrub, it has become a very tall tree, reaching heights of about thirty six feet! Every giant daisy’s tree is covered with lichens, mosses, Galápagos orchids and ferns, usually where tree finches build their nests.
Besides taking a mental picture of the incredible greenery, we also loved the fresh cooling breeze that came through the trees, bringing up the sweet smell of flowers and the songs of several birds.
We are looking forward to explore and learn more from this unique paradise called Galápagos!
