Photo Update - The Best of the Galapagos - Part 2

On the island of Santa Cruz, we visited the Charles Darwin Research Station, and also hiked to a grotto, Las Grietas, which was a canyon like cleft in the rocks with a beautiful, crystal clear pond to swim in.

Studying fossils at the Charles Darwin Research Station
June 2016 - Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Look!  A Giant Tortoise!

All fingers point to the Equator that we crossed to get to the Galapagos Islands
Darwin Research Station - June 2016, Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Charles Darwin and the Bounty
Darwin Research Station - June 2016 - Santa Cruz, Galapagos

A Land Iguana. Much larger and more colorful than the marine iguana
Santa Cruz, Galapagos, June 2016

On the way to Las Grietas, we came across salt pans, and enjoyed the hike through some lava rocks.  Looking back at these pictures now, it is amazing to me how dry and barren it all looks.  What we see now is so much more lush:  greens and blues of palms and turquoise water.  But of course, everything a wonderful experience!

A view of the salt pan - on the way to Las Grietas
Santa Cruz, Galapagos, June 2016

Ben and Gaby next to salt pan

Adrian and an iguana - on the way to Las Grietas.
Santa Cruz, Galapagos, June 2016

A beer and ice cream stop!  On the way to Las Grietas
Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Las Grietas
Santa Cruz, Galapagos, June 2016

At the grotto swim platform

Dave taking a leap into the water!
Las Grietas - Santa Cruz, Galapagos. June 2016

And last, but not least, another beer stop at the beach!

I think they actually had to SHARE this Panama Light!

The day we took this hike, was also Garrick's birthday, so we celebrated on the way back. This turned into quite a party with the arrival of our friends on Cheeky Monkey and carried on well into the night!

The crew celebrating Garrick's birthday - June 2016
Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Birthday Boy

Cheeky Monkey arrives!

Our next stop after Santa Cruz was Isabela - part 3 of the Galapagos Photo Update will highlight our time there!