Galapagos, Day 7

Saturday, May 22, 2010
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

It was a rocky night on the ship since we were exposed to the Southern current . No problems though. Arrived at Santa Cruz Island before breakfast. We left the ship after breakfast about 8 AM for a dry landing at Port Ayora. We were then bussed to the Darwin Research Station, a short 5 minute ride. We walked around the area learning about the Galapagos Giant Tortoises and the rearing program to restore the tortoise population in the various islands. They number the shells of the babies and on some they implant tracking devices so they can be tracked when they are introduced into the wild. Saw one with the number 54 which I labeled "Tortoise 54, where are you"? after the TV show with a similar name. The tortoises are huge, some weighing over 500 pounds. We saw Lonesome George a 90 year old tortoise. They keep two wives with him, but so far he has shown no interest in furthering his line from the Pinta Island. Saw a lot of birds at the research station. After lunch we packed before our afternoon excursion to the “Highlands”  about a 30 minute ride from the ship to see giant tortoises in the wild. The vegetation on this island is quite different from the barren volcanic islands we have been visiting all week. We hiked around a “farm” area observing the tortoises in a natural environment. The ones we saw were over 500 pounds and over 120 years old. You had to be very careful navigating the terrain due to the muck (a nice word for you know what), etc. We returned to the ship to clean up for our final dinner on board. It was a barbeque on the deck. They served a wide variety of items: lobster, fish, steak, chicken, etc. It was a night to remember. Finished packing our main duffle bag and put it outside the cabin for pickup before turning in for the night.


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