The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS), our visit in the morning, is an internationally renowned institution funded purely by donations. These donations are used for the on-the-ground scientific research and conservation of the islands. There are no fancy visitor centers or air-conditioned display rooms. The buildings just serve their main purpose: as laboratories and for administration.
In the picture you can see the little kiosks of the CDRS, one selling refreshments, the other selling t-shirts (with CDRS logos), books, postcards, videos, etc. They are simple and basic, yet besides selling souvenirs and drinks to thirsty visitors, they also serve another purpose: the CDRS center cooperates with the local community, giving scholarships to local students who feel like participating directly in conservation and research of the islands. Part of the general funds raised from the profits of the CDRS's shop is directly donated to students interested in being future Galapagos professionals. Therefore to buy a T-shirt in the CDRS is more than just buying a souvenir! And choices are plenty. So remember when you come to visit the giant tortoises at CDRS take your time to look at what the shop has to offer.
The rest of our day was spent up in the highlands, admiring the endemic vegetation around the sinkholes, observing finches and vermilion flycatchers and the topper of the day: the search of the giant tortoises in the wild with a great success of 40 individuals found!
