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Galapagos Islands Tour Nov 8th, 2016
November 09, 2016 at 1:54 AM
November 8th, 2016 - Santa Cruz, Darwin Research Centre & Giant Tortoise
Overnight we have sailed to the main port of Santa Cruz were today we will visit the Port Town, the Darwin Research Centre and then up to the highlands to see the Giant Tortoise.
We went ashore at 8:30 am this morning heading to our first location of the day the Darwin Research Centre. This is a significant location within the Galapagos as they have been studying the different species on the island and also working very hard to preserve the delicate balance of wildlife within the Archipelago. The centre is also a breeding centre for the tortoise which is important in the repopulation on the islands.
We returned to the ship for lunch then later in the afternoon took a motor coach to the highlands to photograph the giant tortoise. While in the region we also visited a couple of intact lava tunnels. These tunnels run deep underground and once carried tons of molten lava to the lower levels of the islands.
Overnight we sail back to where this all began to the island of San Cristobal for our return flight to Quito. Below are the images from todays activities.
Map showing were we sailed last night to the port on Santa Cruiz.
This is Super Diego. Super Diego, another Galapagos Giant Tortoise, he has traveled more than Lonesome George, as he was found in the San Diego zoo and returned to the Galapagos for breeding. He has done more to assure the survival of his species and is still going strong at the ripe old age of 130! Go Diego Go!
A close up of this handsome tortoise.
A flycatcher in the morning sun.
The fish market in Santa Cruiz harbour.
Ray descending into one of the lava tunnels in the highlands.
Imagine this tunnel full of lava.
Now on to the giant tortoise, we stopped by their favourite mud bath site.
This is a source of cooling the tortoise and drinking water. Yep your read this right!
One of these giant creatures walk past us.
They move very quickly.
No privacy.
Lunch, they tons of grass.
Don’t under estimate the gentle look, they have very strong jaws.
This gives you an idea of the size.
Another mud bath shot.
Some interesting sounds were coming from the swamp!
On the move.
Look at the size of these legs.
When they breath in, it’s quite the daunting sound.
Another close up.
Fran standing behind a smaller female tortoise.
Mona checking the fit of this shell.
Omar joins in the fun ... Omar!!!!
Final map tonight shows where we will be sailing this evening back to the port of San Cristobal.
That’s a wrap for this evening in the Galapagos. Good night from all of us in the Galapagos Islands.