Santa Cruz Island
Early in the morning, we woke up anchored at the historic Academy Bay. After having a delightful breakfast aboard the National Geographic Endeavour, it was time to visit one of the most emblematic places of the Galápagos Islands: the Charles Darwin Research Station. At the first stop of the visit were many adorable baby tortoises in their pens. It was so charming to see them moving on top of each other, like baby giants in a playground. It is amazing how big they come to be, after beginning so small and fragile.
After making a stop to see the babies, it was time to visit our very old friend, Lonesome George. He was at the middle of his water pool, as if enjoying a private Jacuzzi. The way he moved made us think about how majestic these tortoises were in their natural habitat. By the time we left Lonesome George, another of our great tortoise friends was waiting around the corner: Diego from Española Island. The tremendous super Diego was, as usual, surrounded by a lot of females, and at the perimeter of the water pool there were his ever-present small companions: the cute Darwin finches. At the end of this amazing hike, the spectacular dome-shaped giant tortoises showed us how powerful they could be while eating large amounts of vegetation. We also observed some land iguanas that are being reproduced in captive conditions.
The visit continued with a marvelous lunch in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island at a restaurant called Altair. We continued on to the pit craters, known locally as “Los Gemelos.” These amazing volcanic structures are placed right in the middle of one of the most magical places of Santa Cruz Island, known as the Scalesia Forest. Inside this vast forest, we saw many epiphytes and giant daisy trees, contrasting magically with the finches and flycatchers flying all around.
We continued for the next adventure, the Giant Tortoise Reserve. Looking at the tortoises in their natural home was something we had to see to believe. Being among all these giants roaming freely made us feel like we were inside a lost world of mythical creatures.
We ended our day in the port town of Puerto Ayora, with free time to experience the life of the local “Galapagueños.”
