Saturday, October 29th ~ Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Harbor town of Puerto Ayora
Day 4 ~ Even on Santa Cruz Island where it is most populated, we are required to take the panga ashore. Todays excursions begin with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and giant tortoise breeding center. Side by side, next to the National Park administration where the two work hand in glove for the preservation of the Galapagos Islands.
Welcome to the Charles Darwin Research Station
The breeding program has been very successful and several species have been brought back from the edge of extinction.
Here are a couple different breeds of tortoise which highlight differences.
The first one has a high arch over the neck, which allows the tortoise to raise his head higher. He would be better suited for reaching an elevated food source.
Did you ever wonder what was used for a model for ET?
This next breed has a darker shell and smoother around the neck area. They would eat lower vegetation in the wilds.
Darker shell and no saddle hump behind the neck
Galapagos Mockingbird
Free time followed where Tim and I along with Rica and Fred take the opportunity to slowly walk back toward our meeting point in the center of town. A short stop to pick up a t-shirt, time for a fresh fruit smoothie and then on to what was my favorite stop of the day – the FISH MARKET.
At the fish market
Hopeful expression on the sea lion
Although much smaller than other markets we have visited in the past, (the enormous and fascinating fish market in Busan, South Korea comes to mind), this one was teeming with wildlife!
Oh my did the fish mongers have their hands full trying to salvage their catch from the sea lion, heron, and pelicans. But it was hilarious to watch, and I took more than my daily quota of pictures within a half hour span.
If ever you get this way, do NOT miss this fun and funny stop!
While waiting the arrival of our group before loading on to a local bus to visit the cooler highlands, and a completely different ecosystem, we took a quick peak inside the local church.
Church in Puerto Ayora
The majority of our group chose to ride mountain style bikes part of the way up into the highlands.
Our bike riders
We all met up for a demonstration of how sugar cane was pressed in the old days and then processed into sugar, molassas, candy or refined via still into moonshine.
Tim and I substituted for oxen to turn the wheel to extract sugar-water from cane
Opportunities were presented to try all of the products including the moonshine.
A bountiful buffet lunch was served at Rancho Fortiz, a farmers home in the hills where we had a chance to walk the grounds and snap pictures with the wild giant tortoises. Watching another couple stage a “trick” shot, Rica and I HAD to follow suit and create a unique and memorable shot for ourselves.
Joanne and a Giant Galapagos Tortoise
Here’s the deal. I am NOT actually touching this big guy. In fact I am standing at least the required six feet BEHIND him, legs splayed and holding up my hands as if riding. The photographer, far in front of the tortoise maneuvered into the correct position to make it appear as though I am riding him.
Oh, what fun and a reminder that I must research other clever ways to take photos before our next trip.
The afternoon held two options: 1. Go to the beach and explore via kayak, or 2. Visit a lava tube and see giant tortoises in the wild. We chose option #2.
The giant lava tube was rather a non-event after already experiencing them in Hawaii, but this was much longer and larger in circumference.
Inside lava tube
Seeing the numerous wild tortoises was thrilling, and during the afternoon we counted over 40 while traveling along the roadway before making another stop to walk amongst them.
These guys are enormous!
Another “trick” shot
The day had once again been full and so rewarding. It almost felt strange being back amongst civilization, even if the area was not densely populated.
Here are a few more random pictures taken through out the day if you are interested:
At the end of day, we returned to Puerto Ayora to re-embark on the ship in time for dinner.
Returning to ship, looking back at the town and harbor
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for the fishmongers who whether intentional or not, shared their bits and scraps with the ever hopeful critters.
And I will leave you with this:
I loved this sentiment, shown in a shop window
A Note From Abroad 
Fascinating post and lovely pictures! I especially like the photo of the sea lion with a hopeful expression in the fish market.
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I got such a kick out of the fish market. Glad you liked that shot too 😃
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Great photos and story – reminded us our visit over there in 2012
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Thank you. Did you visit the fish market?
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We didn’t experience most of this – we went to the Research Station on our last morning but we’re then taken straight to Baktra(?) for a flight back to Quito. Other than the wildlife (of course) I most liked the stained glass here – beautiful.
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I’m sorry you were not able to see more of the island. But of course the animals are the real stars here.
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Thank you for sharing the good times, joy and hope 💕
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My pleasure!
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awesome. As I said yesterday that I am going to read to your maximum blogs today, I could not do the same.
Seeing the giant tortoise reminds me of my childhood when I used to watch cartoons programs and that time I used to think that these are monster tortoises.
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The tortoises are enormous, weighing several hundred pounds. I can certainly see how a child might find them frightening. In reality they are gentle giants.
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Yes I can understand that seeing ma’am posing with these. You make quite a fun time with each other. 🙂
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Also the type of Sugar cane pressing assembly is still used in may parts of rural India.
At many places you will find these.
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We saw a similar operation in Cuba, but it had a shorter crank handle. I don’t recall seeing one in India. Thank you for sharing that they are still in use there.
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At places which are far from the main market but cane stands in the field they are found some times. And in the markets there are hand operated machines. Sometimes these men also keep diesel motors to do the crushing and selling the cane juice. They crush lemon and ginger and mint along with the cane.
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Brilliant post, loved the fish market, can’t believe the size of the tortoise 😳 enjoy and keep posting ⭐️💫
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Thank you Elaine. More coming soon!
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Fascinating!!! 🙂
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Interesting read. 🙂
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Lovely post! And your pictures bring me there.
Thanks for sharing.
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That is my great goal, to be able to paint an image through words and photos, so that our loyal readers can feel as though they have visited right along with us. Thank you!
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Some day I dream of seeing those giant tortoises!
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May all your dreams come true!!!
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Stunning sights. I am curious how you were able to converse with the Spanish speaking locals? Was that an issue?
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No, we had no language problems that could not be worked out. I know just enough Spanish to get myself in trouble, but a smile, hand signals, a bit of laughter often do the trick. Most restaurants on the mainland have menus in both English and Spanish. And you can always look for a teenager. They are often bilingual and can help translate if you get into a bind. We were also very fortunate on this trip that our travel companions, Rica and Fred, who were often with us, speak Spanish 🙂
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The shot of the seal and the fish was precious and your ‘riding’ the turtle clever and fun. I also admit I created a picture in my mind of a yard full of breeding turtles. I suspect that would be rather humorous as well. Fun blog. –Curt
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Curt, the sea lion at the fish market was more like the mascot or junk yard dog. Perfectly at home and oh so hopeful.
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We didn’t get to the fish market. It looks like a hoot! Sounds like you had a great time. How could you not – it’s the Galapagos!
Alison
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Alison, it will go down as one of our favorite destinations.
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You are inspiring me. This must move up on the bucket list. I loved the sea lions at the fish mkt.
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Leah, that was hilarious watching the dance between the fishmongers and critters.
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Am I missing something by not having JavaScript? Don’t know what it is……………..Ernie
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Ernie, JavaScript is a program that allows you to see the slide shows that I post throughout our blog. Do you have mac? You may need to enable it. If you look at our blog on a computer that is not a Mac or Apple, (on a PC), they usually already have it installed and you will be able to see the slide shows.
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Wow! Thanks fro sharing, the tortoise there are huge and such ancient looking creatures! Must have been an amazing experience! The fish market looked like a fun, colourful and vibrant place!
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Seeing those gentle giants was thrilling for sure And yes, we got such a kick out of the fish market, especially that sea lion.
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Oh wow I’m so jealous. Galapagos is high on my to-do list.
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