As we were leaving Quito , we saw this sculpture. It’s called “The Man in the Mirror.” We could hardly wait to get to the airport, because today was the day that we fly to the Galápagos Islands.

Speaking of sculpture, this was at Quito airport.

After two flights, we finally landed on the tarmac. We were promised lunch, and it was already 1:30. (2:30 if you go by Quito time.)

There’s quite the palaver to get into the place. There’s all sorts of paperwork, a $200US National Park fee and all sorts of checking luggage etc.

They take their responsibilities seriously.

Galapagos land iguana. If you can have a look on his shoulder, you can see that he’s moulting. Judging by his size, he’s around 30 years old.

Big claws for climbing up the cactuses to get the flowers.

During WWII, the US had a base here to keep an eye on the Panama Canal. While they were there, they used the iguanas as target practice and wiped them out from this island. Recently, some have been collected from other islands and brought here to try and fix that mistake.

Lava lizard. Female, because of the red head.

Lava gulls… considered one of the rarest breeds of gulls in the world. Liam, our guide, was very excited when he saw them.

Then, after a boat ride, a bus ride up into the highlands and a delicious lunch (Finally!), we donned our raincoats and gum boots and went to find some giant tortoises.

There were heaps of them. Sometimes when people turn up, there aren’t any to be found.
The tortoises aren’t caged in. They’re free to roam as they will. The fences dotted around the place are left open at the bottom so they can move freely through them.

The people who run this ranch were originally pig farmers, but they realised that it would be far easier to have a habitat for tortoises and feed tourists than it was to raise pigs.

It was a wise decision. Every day, this place is seething with tourists.

I was thrilled!

Remember when I refused to go on the hike in Croatia because it was raining? It turns out that if you dangle exotic wildlife as an inducement, I’ll do it.

They look as if they’ve had a fight. One is facing one way, while the other is facing another.

I thought it was chasing me. Slowly.

I was looking forward to this day for ages. I saw giant tortoises in Zanzibar last year, but these ones are wild and free.
That makes it so much better.

Dad joke of the day: