Santa Cruz Island
Our day started with a cool mist shrouding our anchorage in Academy Bay, mysteries awaited us as we awakened and prepared for our visit to Santa Cruz Island. Our southern swell from the Humboldt Current was felt by all as our ship gently rocked back and forth as we proceeded to land at the national park dock. But we were ready to commence a visit that would be memorable and that would transport us ages in the past to understand the entire natural history of the giant tortoises.
The rearing center for tortoises was established to restore the dynasty of these ancient reptiles in areas where humans have altered the natural balance. This program is considered nowadays the most successful in the world. As we walked along the wooden boardwalk that passes through the habitat of the giant tortoises in captivity, we enjoyed the simplicity of these reptiles that had survived ages with not much change, in the wake of their evolutionary development. The story of Lonesome George, the sagas of Diego, the successes and the failures that have been undertaken in order to protect these endemic reptiles, they all will remain in our guests’ minds forever.
Later on in the highlands of Santa Cruz, we had the perfect environmental setting for developing a previously unexperienced closeness with these giants, and we were permitted to perceive many details about them that were enlightened.
The day came to an end with a great feeling and a rewarding sensation. If we all adopt the right attitude towards nature, we can contribute to the improvement of our planet that is having so many problems. Galápagos spoke to us about that responsibility.
The cool mist is no longer shrouding our boat anchored at Academy Bay. Down it has come, and we are ready to continue our adventure around the Galápagos Islands. Shall the memories obtained today help us to understand some of the mysteries still held in secret by this fantastic archipelago?
