Charles Darwin Research Center

We boarded the panga and crossed the bay to the research station, about a mile from downtown. There we viewed various exhibits about how the islands were formed, how the wildlife got there and evolved into their current amazing forms.

The highlights were by far seeing the Tortoises. The ones on display here are for one reason or another unable to be returned to the wild. The research station has a very active breeding program to re-stock the islands that have their native species still in existence with self sufficient supplies of these massive creatures. It's unfortunate but several species have already gone extinct and the saddest example is Lonesome George, the last of his species from Isla Pinta. There have been attempts to get him to mate with other similar species but so far he has refused. There is a desperate search of the world's zoos in the hope that a female of that species can be located somewhere. Fortunately he's still very young (in his 20's) and the giant Tortoises can live to more than 170 years old.

I wonder if their "relaxed attitude" has something to do with their extraordinarily long lifespan?

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An Iguana relaxing at the dock by the Research Center. Viewed: 73 times.	Some type of endemic Mangroves. Viewed: 87 times.	Map of Parque Nacional Galápagos. Viewed: 95 times.
Steve admires the tree-like Cactus. Viewed: 71 times.	Walking among the strange plant life. Viewed: 75 times.	Another endemic plant of some sort. Viewed: 38 times.
It had very interesting flowers. Viewed: 43 times.	A baby Galapagos Tortoise, about 1 year old. Viewed: 101 times.	Some type of bird. Viewed: 47 times.
A shy female Galapagos Tortoise. Viewed: 52 times.	A close-up of the shell. You're somehow supposed to be able to tell how old she is from the shell. Viewed: 51 times.	A female on the move. Viewed: 57 times.
We're told that lump in the middle is Lonesome George. Viewed: 82 times.	Two very relaxed looking male Tortoises. Viewed: 97 times.	We were told they're more "perky" during mating season. Viewed: 91 times.
A face only another Tortoise could love. Viewed: 79 times.	A different species, notice the arched shell. Viewed: 60 times.	A Land Iguana. Viewed: 94 times.

Around Puerto Isidra Ayora

Once back in town we scrambled to get our Internet fix at a very nice Internet café after 10 days at sea and away from just about any sign of civilization. It felt good.

Since we were going to be docked here for the night we had the option to return to the boat for dinner or be on our own in town. We unanimously chose to stay on dry land and eat in town.

We had dinner reservations at La Garrapata (The Tick) for all the guests on the boat as well as our divemasters at a nice restaurant in town. Before that a few of us stopped for a drink at a small bar on Charles Darwin Street and were surprised to find a parade come through town and basically stop right in front of the bar. We found out later the parade was hastily organized to help the powers at be to make the right decision when it came to the talks taking place over the fishermen's strike. Apparently the fishermen wanted the limits on Sea Cucumber fishing to be removed completely and there were several alternate plans on the table, including shutting down all dive operations and giving only the fishermen permission to run diving in the Galapagos. That's a very scary proposition. We too hoped that sanity would prevail.

I later spoke to someone knowledgeable about the situation and that tourism (including diving operations) are about 100 times the economic impact of the fishing and if the fishermen would prevail not only would that mean the end of diving now but probably forever as it would lead to the destruction of the very fragile and unique ecosystem surrounding the Galapagos Islands.

At the end of our trip the following me we disembarked in Puerto Ayora and had a nice bus ride across Isla Santa Cruz. We made a brief stop in the National Park to view two huge sunken volcanic craters. We then continued to the north end of the island and took a ferry to Isla Baltra where we took another bus to the tiny airport.

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A very odd T-shirt shop. Viewed: 79 times.	Colorful cemetery. Viewed: 74 times.	Hmmm, which way should I go? Viewed: 91 times.
Fish, it's what's for dinner. Viewed: 128 times.	I love a parade. Viewed: 84 times.	Is that Miss Isla Santa Cruz? Viewed: 129 times.
Finally dinner with the ground not constantly moving. Viewed: 92 times.	The band. Viewed: 66 times.	Ugh, another group shot. Viewed: 114 times.
Steve checks out the kitchen. Viewed: 69 times.

Getting back to the Airport

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Panoramic shot of one of the craters. Viewed: 92 times.
A smaller, but much deeper sinkhole. Viewed: 56 times.	Steve enjoying the view. Viewed: 43 times.	Frank and Alex at the craters. Viewed: 45 times.

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