Today was all about the giant tortoises of the Galapagos, in different contexts. This morning found us anchored outside of Puerto Ayora, a small port on the coast of Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is one of the more mature (older) islands, and is lush in the interior, with large trees in places.
We took pangas to the town wharf, then went up to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a fascinating place that works to save and expand the populations of tortoises in the Galapagos Islands. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin_Research_Station. Here's some of their creatures in captivity --
We spent some time walking through the areas that are protecting and growing young tortoises, then walked into town for lunch, a few pina colladas too many, then lunch at a luxury hotel operated by Metropolitan Touring Company (our tour operator). Then we boarded a bus for a short ride up the slopes of the old volcano to the lush interior highlands of Santa Cruz, which may have been the highlight of our trip.
Photos from Charles Darwin Research Center
Raising baby tortoises -- very cool
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| Look closely, but they are moving about -- in cages to protect from predators |
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| Another playpen for little ones |
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| Larger babies in the shade |
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| Adult saddleback tortoise in protected habitat |
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| Unusual cacti in research center |
Walk to town of Puerto Ayora and local wharf, and luxury hotel
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| Cemetery on the way to town |
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| Fresh seafood on the dock -- pelicans waiting for treats |
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| Wharf - very busy and warm |
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| Harbor at Puerto Ayora |
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| Luxury hotel for lunch -- right on the beach |
Highlands of Santa Cruz -- giant tortoises in the wild
The bus ride from the port to the highlands of the island was interesting in its own right. The terrain climbed and got wetter and more lush by the minute. We got to a small restaurant on a large farming area, and walked around from there to look for giant tortoises migrating from the highlands to the coast to lay eggs. A trip that takes a year to complete. What an afternoon we had!
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| Walkway to bathrooms - need and lush |
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| We're off to find the big guys |
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| Big trees, similar to mahogany, all over -- majestic |
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| First big one, at base of big tree |
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| Another striking tree |
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| Mary with friend |
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| Found this guy by myself, and sat down, relaxed, and waited for him to come closer to me |
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| Closer... |
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Closer still...having his moving lunch
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| Our group found this one |
On the way down to the port, I saw something interesting and unusual out the window -- sticks stuck into the ground to make fence posts, that started growing to form living fences! Photos below --
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| New fence posts |
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| Living fence posts |
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| Living posts |
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| More living posts |
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