Santa Cruz, Galapagos

~One of the land iguanas that I saw~

~The Dr. Seuss-esque cactus forest~

Hola! Today (6/23) we got to Santa Cruz after a rough, wavy, and windy 2 ½ hour boat ride! We arrived early, so we jumped straight into our activities. We walked through the town, ate ice cream, and shopped! We had some pizza, and then headed into the highlands. There, we saw several giant and vast sinkholes. Next, we kept driving and visited a farm where there was a bunch of tortoises laying and walking around!  They were so big, old, and funny to watch eat! After I crawled inside a tortoise shell, tried to crawl around in it, and stuck a leaf in my mouth, we headed to a lava tunnel! It was spooky and dark; I loved it! Tonight, we went onto the roof and took some night pictures of the city! Tomorrow, we go to the Charles Darwin Research Center and try to find Lonesome George! So long!

            Hello! Today (6/24) we went to the Darwin Research Center and the beach! First, we went to the center and saw tortoises in different stages of life. First, we saw some that were a year old; they were so cute! We reached the older tortoises, and they looked VERY aged. Next, we walked by some giant land iguanas. They were orange, yellow, white, and brown with spikes and scales. After we took pictures of them, we went out looking for Lonesome George… We found him!! He was lying on the ground not doing much, but can you blame him? He is 100 years old! After we finished at the research center, we had lunch and then headed to the beach. It took us nearly an hour to get there, but when we did, it was worth it! The beach was gorgeous. I explored, swam, tanned, and played! I also looked around in a lava rock, secluded area with a bunch of cacti lined up! I felt like I was in a Dr. Seuss book!We headed back to our inn, and I swam for a few minutes in the pool. After dinner, we had MORE ice cream! Today we have to fly back to Quito. We stay there for a night then fly home! We just found out terrible news: Lonesome George died today. Good night, I have to go and mourn the loss of another species on earth; there are now only 10 more tortoise species on earth.