13. January 2024

Day 18: Galapagos - Santa Cruz

On the last day, as regular land people, we are on a cruise ship for five days from tomorrow. 🛳️

We got up at 06:30 to have breakfast at 07:00 to then check out the local fish market. When we first heard about it, we imagined something more significant than the one we found. But the cool part is different from the size. The wildlife is part of it here as well, and I’m not talking about the dead fish sold.

The small place is crowded by Pelicans and Sea Lions, which get fed with small pieces of fish that are cut off to be thrown away. After witnessing this spectacle, we dropped off some laundry and quickly returned to the Hotel.

Then we went to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where they hatch and grow different species of Giant Tortoises. In the first five years of their life, the Tortoises need to be better protected and have quite some enemies. So they can grow safely to around five years here and are then brought back into the wilderness. This process increases the survival rate from 20% in the wild to about 90%.

After we saw a lot of older Tortoises yesterday, we had the chance to see some young ones today, which was fantastic. They look like tiny turtles that are kept as Pets.

On the way back, we had a short lunch break, and Nicole had a vegetarian hotdog, which was surprisingly good. We also stopped at Playa de la Estacion, where Nicole took a short Swim and Snorkled. But the underwater view is minimal so that nothing can be seen.

Another eating stop was made at 1835 Coffee, where we had some late lunch, and then we went back to the Hotel to enjoy the Pool. Later, I decided to go for a run, but the heat took the better of me today 🥵

After picking up the laundry, we had dinner at Agave Studio (Tacos). Now we are back in the Hotel and preparing for our Pirate life. 🏴‍☠️