Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

We touched-down on Santa Cruz Island this morning around 11AM. We went through security, retrieved our luggage, and caught a ride to the small village of Puerto Ayora (the hub of the Galapagos Islands). We checked into Hotel Flamingo at 12AM and wandered down to the waterfront. It didn't take long to see our first marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, and lava gulls. After a lunch, we strolled along the shoreline towards the Charles Darwin Research Station. We watched brown pelicans, great friggatebirds, and two galapagos sea lions. At the Research Station, we saw Lonesome George, the last survivor of the distinct Pinta Giant Tortoise subspecies. We spent time with many other giant tortoises and iguanas. It was absolutely incredible. The Charles Darwin Foundation website (www.darwinfoundation.org) features news, updates, and background information, and tells you how you can make donations or join the foundation.