From Baltra on the island of Santa Cruz, the Galapagos looked completely different than what I’d expected. I expected a habitat teeming with unique wildlife but saw this instead:
![baltra](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4500dm.jpg)
It was humid and cloudy, but the landscape looked dry. I was happy to be back at sea-level after spending a day in Quito. After taking a short ferry ride and hopping in a van, however, the views changed rapidly as we gained elevation on Santa Cruz Island. Lunch was served at Narwhal Restaurant. This part of the island was a very lush green – though many of the plants were invasive species that thrived with the lack of adequate competition.
![table set for lunch](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4507dm.jpg)
We eventually headed down to Puerto Ayora to our hotel but first took a walk and water taxi around.
Water taxis at the Puerto Ayora pier.
We walked up Avenida Baltra to check out the town. I wandered into a recreational center and stumbled across some people playing Ecuavolley . I would have been intrigued watching a good traditional volleyball game, but this was captivating. The net is higher and they play with a soccer ball (ouch!). As a result, there is a lot less hitting and most points result from someone “setting” the ball over the net. I use quotes because most of the sets would be considered carries in traditional volleyball… but it’s not surprising since they use a much heavier and harder ball.
![equavolley](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4548dm.jpg)
This kid was running around as we walked back out to the street: ![running child](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4549dm.jpg)
The next day, we walked around before rejoining the group.
Here’s a Galapagos brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) that was hanging out near the boardwalk.
![a galapagos brown pelican](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4608dm.jpg)
We visited Galapagos Safari Camp – where one can stay in an eco-luxury tent if they choose to spend time on land in the Galapagos rather than on a boat. It’s a beautiful place that was delgihtfully designed and arranged. Here’s the main dining table in their lobby:
![galapagos safari camp](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4629dm.jpg)
and one of the tents:
![galapagos safari camp tent](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4631dm.jpg)
complete with hot shower, air conditioning, and a real flushing toilet. this is glamping at its best.
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We set out to see the giant tortoises that the Galapagos is so well-known for. Our tour group stopped by a private farm where the giant tortoises are known to hang out.
![galapagos tortoise](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4655dm.jpg)
we saw three tortoises that day. Apparently the number that you see can vary from none at all to dozens.
We also stopped into a lava tube. The one we visited was some of the caves or caverns in the national parks in the US – where people have decided to run electricity in and add steps and railings and so on. that was fine with me. Our guide explained that the tubes form when a large river of lava cools and hardens on the outside before the inside can harden. The lava on the inside eventually vacates the interior of the flow leaving a hollow tube. I took this photo while looking back at the entrance of the tube:
![lava tube](http://www.clubantietam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4723dm.jpg)