Santa Cruz Island
Today, the morning started a little overcast. By the time we all woke up, the National Geographic Islander had already anchored at Academy Bay, south of the island. From the deck, we could already appreciate the signs of civilization that have reached this archipelago.
Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos, was within sight. Located in this town is the Charles Darwin Research Station, the main visit of the morning. This scientific station was established here in 1964 in order to help manage and protect the fragile environment of these islands. It was a very interesting visit, and we were able to see various tortoises, as well as the world-wide famous Lonesome George, who is unfortunately the last individual of his species, originally from the northern island of Pinta. After the Research Station visit, we had a chance to walk along the main avenue of Puerto Ayora, which looked very picturesque with its lava walls, busy fishing dock and flowering trees today.
In the afternoon, a different landscape awaited us. A short bus ride took us to the restaurant located in the humid zone of this island, or the highlands, as it is locally known. Very close to it we had some time to explore an old lava tube, which was quite interesting and long. Afterwards, it was time to look for some representatives of the Santa Cruz giant tortoise population. It was the perfect climate to find them, as it was a little rainy and overcast, and tortoises do like moisture. We found several of them, of various sizes, which were calmly grazing the green pastures around us. These tortoises are found both in national park areas and private land of this island. Tortoises know no boundaries and they migrate from feeding to egg-laying grounds, and vice versa, throughout the year.
Our short visit to a wonderful Scalesia forest, the Galápagos equivalent to the continental cloud forest, was a success. Here, the plan was to enjoy the unique vegetation, perfect habitat for various species of land birds. We had a sighting of a busy woodpecker stripping a tree of its mossy coverage, desperately attempting to capture a caterpillar, which he did! It was a truly successful afternoon.
We cannot wait for more adventures in these Enchanted Islands.
Today, the morning started a little overcast. By the time we all woke up, the National Geographic Islander had already anchored at Academy Bay, south of the island. From the deck, we could already appreciate the signs of civilization that have reached this archipelago.
Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos, was within sight. Located in this town is the Charles Darwin Research Station, the main visit of the morning. This scientific station was established here in 1964 in order to help manage and protect the fragile environment of these islands. It was a very interesting visit, and we were able to see various tortoises, as well as the world-wide famous Lonesome George, who is unfortunately the last individual of his species, originally from the northern island of Pinta. After the Research Station visit, we had a chance to walk along the main avenue of Puerto Ayora, which looked very picturesque with its lava walls, busy fishing dock and flowering trees today.
In the afternoon, a different landscape awaited us. A short bus ride took us to the restaurant located in the humid zone of this island, or the highlands, as it is locally known. Very close to it we had some time to explore an old lava tube, which was quite interesting and long. Afterwards, it was time to look for some representatives of the Santa Cruz giant tortoise population. It was the perfect climate to find them, as it was a little rainy and overcast, and tortoises do like moisture. We found several of them, of various sizes, which were calmly grazing the green pastures around us. These tortoises are found both in national park areas and private land of this island. Tortoises know no boundaries and they migrate from feeding to egg-laying grounds, and vice versa, throughout the year.
Our short visit to a wonderful Scalesia forest, the Galápagos equivalent to the continental cloud forest, was a success. Here, the plan was to enjoy the unique vegetation, perfect habitat for various species of land birds. We had a sighting of a busy woodpecker stripping a tree of its mossy coverage, desperately attempting to capture a caterpillar, which he did! It was a truly successful afternoon.
We cannot wait for more adventures in these Enchanted Islands.
