We sailed overnight from Floreana to southern end of the island Santa Cruz. We anchored in a bay just off from the largest town in the islands, Puerto Ayora. The new anchorage appears to be more protected and we are experiencing much less pitching and rolling. Before weighing anchor off of Floreana, we had to have a firm grip on something to move around. Huge pods of dolphins accompanied us until dark. It seemed they were having a contest as to the largest splash. One individual would leap high in the air and land on his back. Another would accelerate through the water and then slap it's head into the water. Another would leap up only to smack the water with his side.
We were up early this morning to visit Puerto Ayora along with the Darwin Research Center and National Park headquarters where we encountered our first giant tortoises.
We saw the first tortoises at the research center where the park service has a breeding program. We also spotted our first land iguana.
After visiting the research center we drove into the highlands. The highlands receive more moisture and is the wild habitat for the tortoise. Before hunting for more tortoises, we explored a lava tube. The tube ran for about five hundred yards and in places the ceiling was so low we had to crab walk or almost crawl. Other areas were cathedral like.
The hunt for wild giant tortoises was not much of a challenge. We walked through open meadows in knee deep grass.
It's after 5:00 pm so time for a cocktail and to make plans for tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment