The rhythm of Puerto Ayora, the biggest city in the Galapagos with some 20,000 inhabitants, is colorful and busy. The city is the economical center of the islands and hosts the headquarters of the National Park Service, and one can perceive firsthand a constant influx of conservationist and protectionist messages and actions in an educational train. 

The city lives out of tourism and as such, it has much to offer to its visitors. After an informative visit to the tortoise facilities at the Darwin Station, and checking on the reproductive heroism of Diego, the tortoise from Espanola that lives in captivity there, our guests walked back downtown to do some exploration and buy some  souvenirs. Today, the guests onboard the National Geographic Endeavour had a great time on this island and contributed in supporting the local economy. 

One effective way to provoke an efficient conservationist attitude among the citizens of Pto. Ayora, is to show them that the manufacture and sales of souvenirs by the community could help them to have a good quality of life; hence tourism helps in the spreading of conservation. 

One big attraction is the fish market at “Pelican Bay” along the Charles Darwin Avenue, where the most curious customers often give us the chance to take a nice picture.  

After buying a dozen t-shirts, some little tortoise and sea lion figures carved in wood and a couple of beers, we meet at the municipal dock from where we’ll depart to go back onboard, to continue with the week’s expedition. It has become clear to us today that the people of Pto. Ayora are receiving direct support for their business from tourism.  

While riding back to the National Geographic Endeavour with our souvenirs, we smile at the thought of having seen a pelican getting some fish at Pelican Bay’s fish market. Certainly we can live together with nature here in the Galapagos. Everybody, whether local or visitor, works together for the protection of the islands. 

The highlands of Sta. Cruz wait for our visit in the afternoon. There, we will commune with the giant tortoises of the Galapagos…