Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Puerto Ayora is a pretty sleepy sort of town where people typically start and finish their Galapagos Island tours. Shops open at random times making it hard to hire wet suits in a hurry which adds to the fun.

2 minutes walk from the middle of town is the Charles Darwin Research Foundation facilities who look after the islands.

This is our guide Ceaser talking to one of the giant tortoises. The tortoise seemed to understand both English and Spanish and would stand up on command.

Claire found a slightly more sleepy tortoise to grin with.

NB: Claire's on the right.

Jason found a very proud tortoise to have a reaching competition with.

Back at the boat for dinner we found numerous sea lions swimming around and this Pelican who would sit on the back of the boat and periodically dive in for fish.

The next morning we were up early for a bit of bird watching and volcano inspecting before lunchtime. Apparently this bird is quite rare and we can't remember what it was.