Today was the day for tortoises. They are amazing, just walking or plodding around. We even saw a tortoise altercation over a specific place in a pond.
We started the day at the National Park Headquarters/Charles Darwin Research Station. Because the tortoises are genetically different on each of the islands, and were dangerously close to extinction on some (down to 11 on one island), breeding is being done at the Research Station. We saw the incubation method, and then tortoises from less than a year on up. They are very carefully trying to reintroduce the tortoises to their native habitats. Interestingly, a tortoise’s sex is determined by the temperature at which it is incubated!!! We even saw Diego, whom my brother, Jim, and I sat on in the 1950s at the San Diego Zoo. The Zoo returned him to the Galapagos in the 1960s
We walked through the town, and then rode a bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz. This is the most heavily populated island (by people), and most of them work in tourist related industries. In the highlands we saw the tortoises in the “wild.” The area where we walked is privately owned. However, the owners have to follow very strict guidelines, which include letting people come to see them. We were close to them – maybe 15 – 20 feet. They’re HUGE! ! ! !
We walked through a lava tube – 400 meters long, mostly fairly tall, but some parts we had to crouch down. We also saw some huge canyons caused by collapsing lava tubes.
What a spectacular place. Brett is off in the library, which s small, but has a ton of interesting books. Can you believe I haven’t opened a junk novel since I got on the boat???
Adios!!!
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