Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

see all photos »

On our last full day in the Galapagos, we visited Santa Cruz, the most populated island of the archipelago.  As always after so much wilderness and quiet, it was odd to come back to a town with people, streets, and cars.  Puerto Ayora is a tranquil town, however, and we appreciated the relaxed attitudes we encountered.  When we walked through the shops/stalls to shop, we were left alone pretty much!  I love people who aren't pushy.

In the morning we were taken to the Charles Darwin Research Station.  It still felt weird to be looking at wildlife through fences and in enclosures.  I much prefer it the other way.  They had different enclosures for the different sizes of tortoises.  We were let in a large area to take photos of tortoises.  They are so interesting to watch as they eat and walk, but I just couldn't shake the feeling that I would prefer to see them in the wild!  But the CDRS is working to help make that even more possible.

Wildlife is better in the wild

see all photos »

Our afternoon excursion was to a private farm, where lots of tortoises like to congregate.  We got to put on rain boots because the water collects so easily on this property.  Plus, it was raining!  We were the only people to not bring rain jackets - to us, the rain was warm and felt great.  But, we did get really really wet.  I guess next time I would bring a rain jacket.  There were also some lava caves on or near the property, we only spent a moment peering in them.  Overall, this was my least favorite day of the cruise, as the sites we visited were not that impressive! I think I was also feeling melancholy since I knew our adventures were coming to an end.