Planes, Buses, Boats, Oh, My! - May 14 Part 1

Because of the rough water, we are all thrilled when Tavo tells us that our travel company has organized an island hopper plane to take us from Isabela back to Santa Cruz Island, in place of another 2-3 hr boat ride, as we take the first step towards heading home. The small, empty concrete airport is surrounded by vegetation, which we all have to use to answer nature’s call since no one can find the key to the restroom. We crowd in close quarters into the tiny 9-person plane. After a smooth but loud 30 minutes or so, we arrive again on Baltra Island. We have the same sequence of deplane, get bags, get on public bus to cross island (including bags on board), get water shuttle to Santa Cruz Island, then finally get on our own small coach (with A/C!) to cross the island toward the tourist town of Puerto Ayora. Once again, I am dismayed that we will have multiple activities before even checking into the hotel later in the afternoon. First we stop at a coffee farm that cooperates with the National Park to allow tortoises to roam freely back and forth between the Park land and the farm. Everyone changes into wellie-like rubber boots for a short tourist walk through the farm, where we see several free-range tortoises of varied ages and sizes. The highlands are very humid, although overcast, with occasional breezes. At one point, we come upon a tortoise that apparently poses for pictures with tourists. We are instructed that he will feel the vibrations of our feet, to stay some distance from his head, but to circle around behind (not too close) and crouch down for a picture. Ben and I are doubtful, but the tortoise doesn’t seem disturbed, so we agree, along with the others. The tour ends with a cup of delicious free organic coffee grown on the farm, then back to the lovely A/C on the bus, where our local guide Yogo, who also arranged the box lunches we'll eat later, passes around a basket of hard candies and mints as a nice treat. .