Santa Cruz Island is the second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and today we explored the northern part of my home island. Cerro Dragon was our first disembarkation site, and it was amazing. We walked through a palo santo forest with many prickly pear cacti as we searched for Galapagos land iguanas. Success! The dragons of Cerro Dragon were out this morning.
9/12/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Santa Cruz Island
Today we had the opportunity to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park facilities. Today is giant tortoise day! Early in the morning we visited the baby-giants which are part of a program to breed and protect the world-famous giant tortoises. Following, we explored the Highlands with a visit to a hydroponic farm and a sugarcane farm, then we had a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. In the Highlands, we walked among the tortoises. These huge reptiles were roaming freely as they grazed on grass and a variety of plants. Soon after our visit, we returned to Puerto Ayora and had a chance to explore the town and enjoy shopping for local handicrafts. Back on board National Geographic Endeavour II , we danced to music performed by a local folk band after our delicious dinner and nightly briefing. It was a full day of enjoying face-to-face time with Galapagos giant tortoises and visiting a new town.
