Our destination today was the Charles Darwin Research Station at Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the archipelago.

On our way to the rearing center for giant tortoises, we walked through a very green area full of local vegetation like the gigantic prickly pear cactus with a trunk like a tree.

At the Research Station, we were able to observe, first-hand, the steps taken that have made this center so successful. We had the chance to be very close to the giant tortoises and their babies’ as well now famous tortoise Lonesome George.

Later in the morning, we took buses into the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch. First, we rode a bus to a local farm where sugar cane is harvested and converted in different products like juice, melasa and of course the bases of rum, its fermentation, and distillation. There, we also observed our local organic coffee being processed; harvested, dried, roasted and ground. We had the opportunity to taste all local product—some guests had coffee and many had rum!

After a well-deserved tasty meal at a local restaurant, many guests continued exploring the area, while others opted to have a cool drink and relax back to the town of Puerto Ayora.

Soon after, some of us headed further up into the highlands searching for Geochelone porteri, Santa Cruz Island’s endemic species of giant tortoise. We had a great time walking in the grass, finding tortoises in the area in their natural habitat. We found some that weighed over 400 pounds, with a majestic shell simply staring at us.

Today’s visit was outstanding, and our expedition is about to reach its peak, we are already a big family bonded by the mystical magic called the Galápagos Islands.