Santa Cruz and North Seymour Island
Our early morning was opened on civilization as we landed on Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island. This village is the most inhabited with approximately 18,000 residents. The main incomes for the people are tourism, fishing and agriculture. As we took a bus ride to the highlands, we appreciated the different vegetation zones plus the agricultural areas. Several crops grow here, like bananas, avocados, papaya, citrus, and moreover, cattle are being raised here also. Nevertheless, our exploration took place in the “El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve.” Roughly speaking, this tortoise reserve holds 4,000 tortoises. Darwin finches sang in a chorus around us, and a woodpecker finch was seen working with a tool. We went back in time as we hiked to the tortoise gathering area. We admired their colossal carapaces and due to their notoriety the islands are called Galápagos. Additionally, we tasted one item of their tortoise food diet, the small-sized endemic Galápagos tomato. Our adventure continued, and we went through a lava tube and felt like flowing in, forming the islands. Later on, some of us visited town and did some shopping.
By noon, we were sailing towards North Seymour. The afternoon visit was another timeless story. As we landed, our welcome committee was formed of the nocturnal Swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. Magnificent and Great frigate-birds were either with their gular pouches blown up or nesting on the endemic, liquorish-smelling Palo Santo trees (Holy Stick). Furthermore, there were land iguanas eating, blue-footed boobies sky-pointing and dancing, showing their feet to each other. Sea lion pups were nursing, and marine iguanas were lying down. What a bizarre combination of wildlife that lives in harmony…
Our day was closed with a sunset clasp!
Our early morning was opened on civilization as we landed on Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island. This village is the most inhabited with approximately 18,000 residents. The main incomes for the people are tourism, fishing and agriculture. As we took a bus ride to the highlands, we appreciated the different vegetation zones plus the agricultural areas. Several crops grow here, like bananas, avocados, papaya, citrus, and moreover, cattle are being raised here also. Nevertheless, our exploration took place in the “El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve.” Roughly speaking, this tortoise reserve holds 4,000 tortoises. Darwin finches sang in a chorus around us, and a woodpecker finch was seen working with a tool. We went back in time as we hiked to the tortoise gathering area. We admired their colossal carapaces and due to their notoriety the islands are called Galápagos. Additionally, we tasted one item of their tortoise food diet, the small-sized endemic Galápagos tomato. Our adventure continued, and we went through a lava tube and felt like flowing in, forming the islands. Later on, some of us visited town and did some shopping.
By noon, we were sailing towards North Seymour. The afternoon visit was another timeless story. As we landed, our welcome committee was formed of the nocturnal Swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. Magnificent and Great frigate-birds were either with their gular pouches blown up or nesting on the endemic, liquorish-smelling Palo Santo trees (Holy Stick). Furthermore, there were land iguanas eating, blue-footed boobies sky-pointing and dancing, showing their feet to each other. Sea lion pups were nursing, and marine iguanas were lying down. What a bizarre combination of wildlife that lives in harmony…
Our day was closed with a sunset clasp!
