Santa Cruz & North Seymour Islands
Back to civilization…but there is a good reason for it! At 6:30 in the morning we headed to the largest human settlement in the Galápagos, Puerto Ayora. A group of busses were waiting already to take us to the highlands of Santa Cruz, where the most emblematic species of the archipelago, the Galápagos Giant Tortoises are found walking freely among the flourishing vegetation. After half hour of walking through a very lush area, we end up in a muddy pond, where the giant tortoises become gregarious. However, the idea behind the mud-bath is far from beauty purposes, but rather to create an extra layer of skin that would protect them from parasites and to cool off as well. The view of these animals was overwhelming, but this was just the first part of the morning’s activities. After the invigorating walk, some of our guests walked across a lava tunnel formation. The exit of the lava tunnel directed us to a nice open-air restaurant for breakfast.
Once we were done with our breakfasts, we headed back to town to explore for shopping or maybe for a quick visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station where the famous Lonesome George is found.
Our afternoon was dedicated to explore a different island that it is very well known as a frigate bird sanctuary. North Seymour is perhaps the only place in the Galápagos where these gorgeous birds nest all year around! The courtship display involves the puff up of the male gular pouch for a full display to any female flying near by.
The blue-footed boobies are another of the seabird species found commonly in this area. It was very interesting to see them in all different stages of their life: some of them dancing the famous blue-footed booby dance, while others were already with their eggs nesting. Finally we found the fluffy chicks, patiently waiting for their parents to arrive to feed them. Our way back to the islander was adorned with a beautiful sunset at the far distance.
Back to civilization…but there is a good reason for it! At 6:30 in the morning we headed to the largest human settlement in the Galápagos, Puerto Ayora. A group of busses were waiting already to take us to the highlands of Santa Cruz, where the most emblematic species of the archipelago, the Galápagos Giant Tortoises are found walking freely among the flourishing vegetation. After half hour of walking through a very lush area, we end up in a muddy pond, where the giant tortoises become gregarious. However, the idea behind the mud-bath is far from beauty purposes, but rather to create an extra layer of skin that would protect them from parasites and to cool off as well. The view of these animals was overwhelming, but this was just the first part of the morning’s activities. After the invigorating walk, some of our guests walked across a lava tunnel formation. The exit of the lava tunnel directed us to a nice open-air restaurant for breakfast.
Once we were done with our breakfasts, we headed back to town to explore for shopping or maybe for a quick visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station where the famous Lonesome George is found.
Our afternoon was dedicated to explore a different island that it is very well known as a frigate bird sanctuary. North Seymour is perhaps the only place in the Galápagos where these gorgeous birds nest all year around! The courtship display involves the puff up of the male gular pouch for a full display to any female flying near by.
The blue-footed boobies are another of the seabird species found commonly in this area. It was very interesting to see them in all different stages of their life: some of them dancing the famous blue-footed booby dance, while others were already with their eggs nesting. Finally we found the fluffy chicks, patiently waiting for their parents to arrive to feed them. Our way back to the islander was adorned with a beautiful sunset at the far distance.
