Day 3: Quito, Ecuador to Galapagos Islands

Greetings from the Galápagos Islands!  Today we flew from Quito to Baltra Island and then took a ferry across the canal to Santa Cruz.  We landed on the northern side of the island and had to take a bus to get to Porta Ayora which is on the southern side.

Right before leaving our hotel in Quito.  Ecuador is the optimal place for growing roses.

The runway on Baltra Island.

The canal we had to cross to get from Baltra to Santa Cruz.

A pelican just stopping by to check everyone out.

The most impressive thing I've ever seen.

Let me first start with just how impressed I am that our luggage actually made it across the canal from Baltra to Santa Cruz without falling off the roof of the ferry.  The only things holding them on to the roof of that ferry were my thoughts and prayers.

Twin Craters

Our first stop of the day was on our way to Porta Ayora, Twin Craters.  They are massive volcanic rock sinkholes (basically) instead of actual craters.  The rock itself is spectacular and the vegetation is lush and green.  The northern part of Santa Cruz was very dry with mostly cacti and barren trees adapted to the rocky climate.  Where the Twin Craters are located near the middle of the island, it is gorgeously green!  That is one of the neat features that I love about Galápagos is that the landscape changes so dramatically in a short distance.

One of the Twin Craters.

A small but deep opening near the second crater.

The craters were formed as a result of the cooling and contracting of liquid rock when volcanic activity had ceased under the surface in that area.  As the rock cooled it became unstable and eventually collapsed, creating the craters.  All of the islands were created from magma erupting from underneath the crust and pushing up over the surface.

Scarlett overlooking the first crater.

A Scalesia tree covered in moss.

Another unique part about this area is the Scalesia forest.  The Scalesia trees are normally found in very humid areas and can be covered by different kinds of mosses.  There are 15 species of Scalesia that are endemic to the islands; they are native to and can only be found in the Galápagos.  

This was also where I had my very first sighting of finches!  After all the papers I have written on Darwin and his finches for school, I was thrilled to death to finally see one in person.  They were everywhere and there were all different kinds!  Unfortunately, they were moving too quick for me to be able to grab a photo.

Scalesia trees lining the road only road to Port Ayora.

Rancho Primicias

Welcome to Rancho Primicias.

Our last stop before heading to the hotel to settle in was a Galápagos giant tortoise reserve that is in the process of reforestation. The Rancho Primicias is a privately owned ranch that was created for the purpose of ensuring there is a safe and natural habitat available for the local tortoises.  None of the tortoises are owned, caged, or restricted in any way and are free to come and go as they please.  Since they are so slow, they mostly just stay!

Scarlett was in love with all the tortoises!

On the ranch you have free reign to wander the grounds and admire the tortoises, but there are strict rules in the Galápagos that you must keep a distance of no less than 6 ft from any wildlife (if able).  They also were in the process of planting new trees, so we were also asked not to disturb any of the large rocks set up to protect the saplings.  The rocks are mostly there to protect them from the tortoises though.

A giant tortoise munch on a snack.

Our guide for Galápagos, Jonathan, explained the importance of reforestation right now and how they are trying to get the guava tree population under control.  Guava is an invasive species on the islands since it is drought resistant, fast growing, and has no natural predators (at least not enough to control the population).  The issue on the islands is that the tortoises enjoy the fruit and eat what falls on the ground.  The seeds are buried in some nice, organic fertilizer when it passes through the tortoise and can then take root in a new area.  Too much guava is even bad for the tortoises because of the higher sugar count in the fruits.  It can make them quite sick.

Pool party!  This delightfully green, algae-filled pool is a great spot to cool down.

The grass matches the algae.  Can you spot the duck?

Not only did we get to see them in their natural habitat, but we got to try on our own shells too! Not very accommodating I must say and not the most graceful to get in and out of...  

This were so heavy, no wonder they move so slow.

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Fun Fact:  Much like the rings on a tree, you can tell a tortoise's age by the rings on its shell - well, sort of.  The more visible the rings are, the younger the tortoise is.  The definition between the rings smooths out the older they get.

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Hotel Coloma Galapagos

We're staying at the hotel Coloma Galapagos in Puerto Ayora.  It is the absolute cutest!  10/10 would recommend staying here.  The staff is so friendly and the rooms are spacious and clean.  It is only a few blocks away from the pier, so it is in the perfect location!  We're only here tonight since we are heading to Isabela Island tomorrow, but we will be back here when we come back to Santa Cruz.

I can't wait for tomorrow!

Scarlett riding a giant tortoise.