Santa Cruz
The excitement was high as we disembarked at Puerto Ayora — giant tortoises were on everyone’s mind. Our destination was the Charles Darwin Station, which houses the rearing and captive breeding programs for the giant tortoises of Galápagos. The National Park Service manages this program, which is in the process of rebuilding populations that were on the verge of extinction. From recently hatched tortoises to the gentle giants that roam these isolated islands, we experienced one of the most successful restoration programs on Earth. The tortoise from Pinta, Lonesome George, is the last of his race. He reminds us of the delicate nature of our planet and what can happen if we ignore proper care.
After our day’s in-depth visit of the scientific aspect of Galápagos we head out to experience the human aspect of these islands. Walking through the bustling port town of Puerto Ayora we find the population with a unique local attitude that exudes happiness in many ways. The fish market is active with sea lions and pelicans trying to obtain their subsistence through watching the fisherman’s every move and eventual distraction. We begin to gather at our departure point for the highlands, all arriving at their own pace and with tales of exploration of Puerto Ayora.
Tomas de la Berlanga school is the destination for one group as we head to the highlands. This school was created by a group of island parents who wanted a high level education for their children without having to leave the archipelago. Nature is the focal point for the children as Darwin finches and mockingbirds land on their desks as they study. Those who care for the future of nature need to be in direct contact with it and this is the case at these children grow academically and in commune with nature. As we arrived in the highlands we visited a long lava tube that shows us the interior of this wondrous world and our education continues.
A hearty barbeque gave us energy for the afternoon when we went in search of giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Large tortoises appear as boulders until their movement revels their deliberate undertaking to their next destination. We found among these highlands a habitat so different and alien from the coastal zone that we have been experiencing up to this point. Who would guess that we have tree ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and representatives of the sunflower family that grow to 25ft in height? The trills and songs of the Darwin finches and yellow warblers fill our ears as we find pit craters that show us that the geology is still present among this cloud forest. Exploration is the key to knowledge and our journey today has proven this. Santa Cruz has made yet another impact in our exploration of “…a little world within itself.”
