Last Day & El Chato Tortoise Reserve

Tues Feb 18th

We have traveled a total of 287 nautical miles for this boat ride. 

This morning we had one last activity with Walter & The Beagle and it was extra special.  We took off around 6:15am to go for a panga ride into Black Turtle Cove which is surrounded by mangroves.  We saw tons of pelicans floating and flying and fishing.  We saw a pair of MATING SEA TURTLES!!!  (giggle giggle).   Walter turned off the boat motor and we floated quietly towards the busy couple.  It was odd to watch but hey, it’s nature.

We also saw a steady stream of BABY SHARKS (do do do do do do) coming from a small channel.  Walter said it was like a shark nursery in there.  Sea turtles were also coming from that same channel.  And a heron was standing there watching it all while occasionally spearing a fish in the water.  Wow.  It was so peaceful and serene.

As we motored out there were several flocks of seabirds flying around and diving into the water including frigates, boobies, and pelicans.

It was hard to believe that this was our last journey together.

After that we head to Isla Baltra where we took a short trip on a bus to the airport.  As we left the boat we handed out two envelope with cash tips (as is the custom here).  One went to Walter our naturalist and guide, the other went to the captain that gets split amounts the sailboat crew.  Interesting note, besides the cost of the cruise itself, these tips were our biggest expense for the trip (it was one of the reasons we had to haul so much cash with us).  We got some advice from our travel agent about how much to tip so we were prepared.  We tried to be generous yet not absurd.   It was worth EVERY penny.  I hope Walter and the crew knows how much we appreciated them...we know it's not an easy job.

But WAIT!  The adventure was not quite over yet.  It was only 9am and there were 7 of us that did not fly out until after 4pm.  Now, that GPS airport is super tiny with only four gates so instead of wasting the day waiting we decided we’d take two taxis ($50 per taxi round trip) up to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to El Chato Tortoise Reserve ($5).  There you can walk around in this large area to check out GIANT TORTIOSES!!!  Oh Lordy they are massive!!  These are the largest tortoises in the Galápagos.  This reserve (and an adjacent one) is a place where the tortoises can roam about “freely” enjoying life while being protected.  We saw them eating  the grass/plants, roaming around, and hanging out in small ponds.  It seems like a good life to me.  

Appreciate List:
-- How much effort and planning it must take to keep these islands protected and natural...they’ve done a phenomenal job
-- No Litter (especially plastics)
-- Walter and the crew on the sailboat (it must be tough to be away from your friends & family for so long...and have to hang out with tourists)