Today we arrived at Santa Cruz Island, which is located in the central area of the Galapagos. This morning we visited the Galapagos giant tortoises Breeding Center Fausto Llerena where we observed different types of Galapagos land tortoises and the corral of the Galapagos land iguanas. This is also a good place to observe land birds such as Darwin finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, doves and flycatchers. Along the way, we learned about the many species of endemic and native plants, such the impressive Galapagos giant prickly pear cactus, Galapagos sunflowers and the always colorful yellow cordia.
After seeing the breeding center, we got to see the town of Puerto Ayora and the way the locals live there. Later on we went to the highlands where we went to a local farm that produces coffee, bananas and sugar cane. From the sugar cane they produce “aguardiente” which is a strong alcoholic drink, which is very popular in South America.
As we left the local farm, we headed to a local restaurant for lunch and in the afternoon we went to another local farm to look for wild Galapagos giant tortoises and we found several tortoises and two couples trying to mate. This is the season when tortoises are reproducing and laying eggs in the lowlands. We ended our walk in a lava tunnel and then returned to Puerto Ayora. Afterwards we returned to our ship where we listened to a local musical group, the perfect ending to our day on Santa Cruz Island.
