In the morning, we arrived at Los Gemelos, on Santa Cruz Island. We took a bus to view the two sinkholes at Los Gemelos ("the twins"), a very interesting and unique geological formation. However, due to the fog, we were unable to get any worthwhile pictures. We proceded to the Tortoise Ecological Reserve, where the giant tortoises roam free. First, we had to don knee-length rubber boots to protect us from the fire ants. Then, it was off to see the tortoises. Amazing. Look! Pati spotted one!
Gordon, too!
Tortoises love mud baths.
The only introduced bird, the Ani, was brought by early settlers. Ani's job was to pick bugs off the cattle.
They say that the Ani's have lost their taste for cattle bugs these days.
In the afternoon, we traveled up to El Trapiche to visit an old sugar cane mill where we were shown how to make artisinal spirits (OK, moonshine). We sampled. It was moonshine, alright. We walked around town afterwards, and saw the Presidents of three countries, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Needless to say, security was high and it was a mob scene, so we retreated to the boat on the first available Zodiak for some liquid refreshment.
