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Published: July 30th 2005
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Sarah Dayuma
Plan A was to resume the cruise aboard the Sarah Dayuma (obviously not happening). Plan B was to cruise on a different boat (highly unlikely in high season). So it was Plan C, continuing day trips, that awaited us on Day 4. Day 4, a new, new beginning.
We were excited about day 4, this was the day we got to leave San Cristobal Island and go to the town of Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is a slightly bigger town and very different than Puerto B. Moreno. It is the center of tourism on the islands and has a lot more options for day trips than San Cristobal Island. This was also the day that the Canadians and Frederique left and we got new tour-mates. Basically, it felt like a new beginning for us and we are happy to say, the rest of the trip ran quite smoothly and we managed to even have a little fun. (We know that the first Galapagos blogs were rather negative, but there truly was a lot of needless drama the first 3 days. We did have fun despite what it may seem. Hey, it’s the Galapagos. It is impossible not to enjoy it).
That morning we went to breakfast and said goodbye to the Canadians and Frederique. We weren’t transferring to the other island until about 1:30 pm, because we were waiting for the new people to fly in. In the
Ryan getting ready to cycle from the highlands to Puerto B. Moreno
Not knowing he was going to be cycling, Ryan decided to wear his only set of clean clothes this day. D'oh! meantime, we went on a quick tour to the highlands of San Cristobal. The bigger islands have many different climate types depending on how high you go. Whereas the coasts of some of the islands are desert-like, the mountain-tops can be lush with vegetation. We set off to Laguna El Junco, a crater-lake. Unfortunately, it was covered by a cloud when we got there and we didn’t see much, despite walking around the rim. On the way back, Ryan got to bicycle back to town. It was mostly downhill and he, our guide and Carlos got spattered with mud.
At the dive shop, we bumped into the tour manager. He seemed to be in a better mood. He told us when and where lunch would be and to what to do with luggage in the meantime. Finally, some information! We met our new tour-mates (three Americans, two Brits, and a Swiss) and "guide" at lunch. Kate, Audrey, and Cece (the Americans) were all studying in Quito for their Summer session. Helen and Alison (the Brits) were taking 6 months vacation after graduating from uni. Esther (the Swiss) was a school teacher on holiday. Eddy, the usual guide on the
Sarah Dayuma, said he´d be accompanying us to Santa Cruz and that he´d be our guide for the rest of the week.
We asked the girls if they´d seen the Sarah Dayuma and when they were told it would be ready. They said that they had seen the boat and were told it might be ready by Monday. We all laughed. If you´d seen the boat, you would have laughed, too. Luckily, the girls were prepared for a completely land-based tour. They were also amused that the tour company had been telling everyone that the boat would be ready for half a cruise. We could tell this would be a good group.
After lunch, we took a speed boat to Santa Cruz Island. It was a VERY bumpy ride (about two and a half hours). We checked into our hotel. More happiness. All of us were in the same hotel. This would make it easier to round everyone up for activities and meals. No more running around town collecting people.
That afternoon, Eddy took us to the Charles Darwin Research Station. We learned about the giant tortoise breeding program. The scientists at the research station are working
to increase the tortoise populations on the islands. The tortoises had been exploited for meat by pirates and early inhabitants. Livestock (introduced species) had killed many juvenile tortoises by stepping on their shells before they´d hardened. Luckily, the breeding program seems to be working. Though, they´re still looking for a mate for Lonesome George, the last member of the Pinta Island subspecies (there are different subspecies endemic to different islands).
Our whole group was happy having Eddy as a guide. He was very knowledgeable and informative. He did not wait for us to ask him what different plants and animals were (as our guides on San Cristobal had). He showed us around town a bit, taking us to our dinner and breakfast restaurants and telling us when each would be. It was great! Unfortunately, as he dropped us off at our hotel, he told us he´d see us on Monday. Our group was confused. What happended to him being our guide? He explained that he was getting the next several days off since the day trips all have guides. He said not to worry, most of the guides were good. Then he bade us farewell and departed. Plan C
was underway.
WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS: Egret, Frigatebirds, Brown pelicans, Sea lions, San Cristobal Lava lizards, Darwin's finches, Galapagos Mockingbirds, Giant Land tortoises, Land iguanas
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