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mcichelli: This is quite a metropolis.
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mcichelli: There's lots of building going on.
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mcichelli: The main dock, grocery store, etc.
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mcichelli: Here come the tourist invaders.
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mcichelli: Our bus was waiting to take us to the "highlands".
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mcichelli: This is private property right next to the tortoise reserve.
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mcichelli: It's the end of the dry season - so water is a bit scarce.
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mcichelli: These tortoises are at least 60 years old - that's when they become full adults.
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mcichelli: They don't do anything quickly.
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mcichelli: Hello!
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mcichelli: Richard studies an adult female.
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mcichelli: Hmm...
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mcichelli: I don't have a shirt cardboard with me; this pad will have to do.
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mcichelli: Oh - I scared her and she retreated.
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mcichelli: But, she's still watching me.
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mcichelli: To lay eggs, they walk several miles to the sea - SLOWLY.
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mcichelli: How are you doing there?
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mcichelli: Just fine!
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mcichelli: Rafael, one of our naturalists, has spotted a bird.
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mcichelli: He can recognize (and imitate) any bird on the islands.
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mcichelli: He's funny, smart, knowledgable, a lot of fun, and Puerto Ayora is his home town.
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mcichelli: We left the tortoises to lead their "active" lives.
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mcichelli: This is Yves, our professional videographer.
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mcichelli: Most of the group went down and through a lava tube - a tunnel created by flowing lava during one of the many volcanic eruptions here.
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mcichelli: Everyone made it through, and we ate breakfast in this lovely open-air restaurant.
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mcichelli: Lots of things grow here in the highlands - even at the end of the dry season.
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mcichelli: They very successfully raise cows here.
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mcichelli: They also grow bananas and other fruits.
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mcichelli: The Orange-Footed Tourist
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mcichelli: Don't think they are cutoff from the world.