Goodbye Mainland.- Helllo Islands

This morning we had to say good-bye to mainland Ecuador and start our journey in the Galapagos Island.  We boarded our flight and were on our way to Baltra, one of the islands in the Galapagos archipelago which only serves now as an airport - having once housed a US military base.   Once we have all cleared customs and inspection, we grab a public bus to take us to the pier to catch a ferry for a short ride across the water separating Baltra and Santa Cruz Island.  Our day sure felt a lot like "Trains, Planes and Automobiles."  

One first destination was the Primicias Ranch where we got our first look at the Giant Tortoises of the Galapagos.  We were split into two groups with separate guides and took a walking tour.  We learned about the tortoise and how they survive in the Galápagos Islands.  We learned that part of the way the age the turtles is by their shells and the amount of ridges that are in them.  The older they get, the smoother the shell is.  It is pretty amazing that these creatures can live for a year without food or water.   We talked Lonesome George and how he was the left of his species (although they did keep his DNA) and they estimate he was about 140 when he passed away and also talked a little bit about Harriet, who died at the age of about 175.  The new mascot of the Islands is Super Diego who, in tortoise years is relatively middle-aged, at just over 100.  Most of the tortoises we saw were fairly young, only between 70 and 80 years.  

We had lunch at the ranch, which was a choice between chicken or swordfish, which the kids all seemed to enjoy.  From there we made our way to our hotel to check in and said good-bye to our guides until dinner.  After getting settled into our rooms, we took a short walk into town to walk around and check the area out and do some shopping.  There was even a school parade that we were able to watch.  Different kids represented different South and Central American countries and were doing local dances.  From there, we made our way to dinner and then back to the hotel to get packed and rested for another big day tomorrow.