Santa Cruz Island
Today we started our day anchored at Academy Bay in Santa Cruz Island. After disembarking we headed to the Giant Tortoises Breeding Center; where we learned about the diligent efforts made by the Galápagos Nation Park and the Charles Darwin foundation to restore the populations of the different species of these chelonians. We got the chance to meet our two most famous and emblematic giant tortoises. On one hand we have Lonesome George, originally from Pinta Island and the last individual of his species. And on the other hand, Diego responsible of around 50 percent of the individuals bred in this Center of his species.
In the afternoon we had the opportunity to walk through a lava tunnel that ended just at the entrance of a restaurant where we had lunch. Many feelings were evoked in us during this walk: charm, fear and at the end wellness. After a succulent buffet lunch, we moved on to the most attractive part of the adventure: to see giant tortoises in the wild. As soon as we arrived we were impressed by the attractive landscape of the Giant Tortoise Reserve. These walking giants were everywhere in the area. Some of them were in a pond filled with mud and water, some others, feeding on the lush vegetation that surrounded them. Also we were able to spot several different species of finches and other birds such as common moorhens and white-cheeked pintail ducks.
Later in the afternoon we headed back to town to spend the last minutes in Puerto Ayora, which is a beautiful and very friendly town. What a great way to end another day in paradise.
