After a full night’s sail, and after previously visiting the southern and eastern parts of the archipelago, we are now more in the center. Santa Cruz is the name of the second largest island in Galapagos. The island’s name is a reflection of the religious identity of the Republic of Ecuador, the country to which the Galapagos archipelago belongs.
This island is where Puerto Ayora is located. The port is the largest town in the archipelago and close to 25,000 people represent the island’s population. It is also where the National Park Service is located, the organization in charge of the protection and administration of the national park, and responsible for great conservation results in the last 50 years of conservation in the islands.
As part of the stops in the morning, today we visit Darwin Station, and here we see the facilities of the park service that house giant tortoises. We learn about the conservation of not only tortoises, but many other conservation programs taking place. We have a chance to see and learn about the tortoise breeding program, Lonesome George and his legacy, and the mechanisms to exterminate the invasive species of the islands. Soon after the stop in the station, we are all organized to visit a farm in the agriculture zone of the island, but before we get to the farm we have optional activities that give our explorers a choice between a short visit to a private school or bike riding to the farm.
After the morning activities we arrive at the restaurant, excited to be in the area where the wild tortoises are the number one attraction. This farming zone is where tortoises migrate through, and we enjoy at our leisure as it’s one of the last of the activities of the day. And what a glorious way to end another great excursion day! We have walked this farm and saw animals very close – the photography has been just amazing! The calm and beautiful tortoises are everywhere, munching on grass so peacefully, making this a wonderful interaction.
