Santa Cruz Island
Today as we started our activities, we had a beautiful sunny morning. This is typical weather for the transition between warm-wet season and dry-cold season. Our first visit was to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we had close encounters with land tortoises, land iguanas, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves, etc. When we gathered in the town’s main park, ready to go to the highlands for lunch, we found a display of these wooden blue-footed boobies and wooden sea lions among other handcrafts. The local artisans use great imagination and talent to create some unique designs. Their artwork helps them support their families, and their merchandise adds to the charm and appeal of Puerto Ayora.
The materials the craftsmen use now days, come from several sources: the woodcarvings are made with wood from introduced trees, and items made from vegetable ivory (a nut from a palm tree found in the Ecuadorian rainforest) are thankfully now replacing the once abundant black coral jewelry. Necklaces that use to be made of sea lion’s teeth are no longer found for sale; instead, colorful beads and ceramic pieces are now used. The Galapagenian community is more fully participating in the conservation of their islands. And their lovely crafts have made the pleasant little town of Puerto Ayora more fun for our guests.
Today as we started our activities, we had a beautiful sunny morning. This is typical weather for the transition between warm-wet season and dry-cold season. Our first visit was to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we had close encounters with land tortoises, land iguanas, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves, etc. When we gathered in the town’s main park, ready to go to the highlands for lunch, we found a display of these wooden blue-footed boobies and wooden sea lions among other handcrafts. The local artisans use great imagination and talent to create some unique designs. Their artwork helps them support their families, and their merchandise adds to the charm and appeal of Puerto Ayora.
The materials the craftsmen use now days, come from several sources: the woodcarvings are made with wood from introduced trees, and items made from vegetable ivory (a nut from a palm tree found in the Ecuadorian rainforest) are thankfully now replacing the once abundant black coral jewelry. Necklaces that use to be made of sea lion’s teeth are no longer found for sale; instead, colorful beads and ceramic pieces are now used. The Galapagenian community is more fully participating in the conservation of their islands. And their lovely crafts have made the pleasant little town of Puerto Ayora more fun for our guests.
