Ecuador

Today we set foot in Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos, on Santa Cruz Island. Our first stop were two giant sinkholes which formed during volcanic activities on the island. I was stunned from the size of those holes and fascinated by the beautiful flora inhabiting those craters.
This sight was then soon replaced by our next stunning stop at a giant tortoise reserve, where these incredible creatures roam freely. The reserve doesn’t feed or confine them in any way; it simply ensures the native plants support the tortoises diet and that predators are kept away. This allowed us to observe them in their natural habitat, watching them move and eat. It was fascinating to see how massive and unbothered they were, even with people nearby.

After lunch at the reserve, we explored a massive lava tunnel created during the last volcanic eruption. From there, we took a short bus ride to the Darwin Research Center. The center tells the story of Darwin’s work, along with the legacy of Lonesome George, the last of his species, and highlights their efforts to protect and restore giant tortoise populations. Originally, 15 different species of these tortoises were known to live on the Galapagos islands, each on its own island; sadly, four have already gone extinct, making the center’s work crucial for conservation.

On our way back to the port, we walked through the streets of Puerto Ayora, a city of about 12‘000 people. We stopped for some souvenir shopping, and, naturally, a cold beer to end the day.Read more