 |
~Home~ |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Day 11 |
Day 6 got off to an early start with a panga ride to the dry landing at Puerto Ayora dock on Santa Cruz Island. From there we boarded a bus which took us on a trip to the highlands and into a world of mist, rain, and cloud forest that was very different from the dry desert islands that we had previously visited.
"Located near the center of the archipelago, Santa Cruz is the center of tourism in the Galapagos. Its close proximity to Baltra airport makes the island readily accessible. Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in the Galapagos is the homeport to many yachts, as well as home to the Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station making it included as part of most cruise itineraries." from Galapagosonline.com.
At the top of Santa Cruz we find two volcano craters Los Gemelos or "the twins". As we visit this humid misty area we find that many of the plants are those that we have seen in other areas but their physical size is much greater due to the rain forest environment.
After visiting the National Park, we took an unscheduled side trip to a private preserve that allowed us to get up close and personal with the tortoises. In fact, we may have found the missing link that strolled in during our visit! (Sorry about that Fran; I couldn't resist it)
After playing with the tortoises we had lunch and then then spent the afternoon at the Charles Darwin Research Station learning about all of the projects that are underway to study and preserve this unique environment. We also had time to explore the town where Corinne got some great pictures of sea lions begging for scraps at the local fish market.
As evening approached the panga picked us up at the Puerto Aroya dock and we returned to the boat for dinner and briefing for Day 7's activities.