Puerto Ayora is the largest town in the Galapagos and was the starting point of our adventure today. This morning, we visited the Charles Darwin Research Station and had the chance to see research in progress to save some of the critical endangered Galapagos tortoises. The famous, extinct “Lonesome George” tortoise was on display as a stark reminder of the impact that careless humans can have on the environment. However, the research station is conducting one of the most successful reintroduction programs in the world with great success. The afternoon was spent in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island with a visit to a sustainable coffee and sugar plantation. One of the highlights of the trip was the chance to see giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural environment. There were dozens of tortoises, ranging in all sizes, including some of the largest on the island, weighing in at over 400 pounds. It is humbling to see these magnificent creatures thriving in the wild and know that the residents are doing everything to protect these Enchanted Islands.
10/4/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Genovesa Island
With coffee in hand, I stepped out onto the front balcony of the lounge to see what was going on. We had just entered Darwin’s Bay, dropped anchor, and the juvenile red-footed boobies had found the ship and were flying around us on an inspection tour. The rest of the day continued with discoveries of all kinds. An early morning inversion layer (locally known as “garúa”) had fallen and dampened the environment with much desired drops of fresh water, although the chicks of various species didn’t appear terribly pleased in having wet feathers. On our return, the same bedraggled individuals looked smooth, sleek and dry once the sun had come out. The Galapagos National Park has only two sites for visitors, both spectacular, both well worth a slow walk among the palo santo trees to see the great frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, Darwin’s finches, short-eared owls, and storm petrels. Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding along the base of the cliffs of Darwin’s Bay followed. There’s nothing quite like this island anywhere in the world.
