Darwin Research Station

Today was another jammed packed, amazing day. We started in the early morning looking for land iguanas on Isla Plaza. We were successful in finding plenty within the cactus forest. Then we travelled for a few hours to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz where we visited the Darwin Research Station. Puerto Ayora is the largest city within Galapagos with 20,000 inhabitants. Santa Cruz is one of 5 inhabited islands. At the research station we were able to see Lonesome George, a land tortoise that is 150 years old. His name is Lonesome George because he is the last of his species. Scientists have tried to mate George with a similar species without any luck. These tortoises are enormous and look so ancient. Towards the end we were able to get up close and personal with a handful of them to admire their size and uniqueness. In the afternoon, we walked to Tortuga Bay which had a beautiful beach. From there, we were free to shop within the city and return to the boat for dinner. The crew kindly allowed us to go back to the city after dinner if we so chose. Here are pictures from the day:

Land iguana on Isla Plaza

The interesting landscape of Isla Plaza

Land iguana and a swallow-tail gull

A marine iguana in the mix

The National Geographic Endeavor - to say it is a bit bigger than the Encantada would be a massive understatement.

Marine iguanas lined up in a row with an unknown species in the background

The great group of the Encantada, just missing Hugues and Cecile

Giant Tortoise kindergarten as our guide called it

Lonesome George himself

"What up George?"

Up close and personal

Puerto Ayora

On the way to Tortuga Bay

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Day 5 - Isla Floreana/Devil's Crown

Today was an amazing day of snorkeling. After a walk in the morning to visit the "post office" and walk through a lava tunnel, we were able to snorkel from the beach. I was shocked at how many sea turtles there were at this specific site. They seemed to be everywhere. In the afternoon, we snorkeled from the dinghy around Devil's Crown. By far and away, this was the most impressive snorkeling site for me. There was just so much to see. Between tropical fish, rays, star fish, etc it was easy to keep happily occupied. The only downfall to this site was the amount of jellyfish. They were extremely abundant, but small in form. Nonetheless, they stung. It seemed to sting worse once out of the water. Thanks to a home remedy of vinegar from Terry, one of the passengers, the stings' potency decreased gradually. This was a pretty busy day which included an afternoon walk to see mating sea turtles and a lagoon. Here are some pictures: