San Cristobal, Galapagos

We had one day in Quito, where we visited the equator. Here we stand half in the northern hemisphere, and half in the southern hemisphere.

Two weeks in the Galapagos were spent at Finca Guadalupe, a permaculture ecotourism farm in the highlands of San Cristobal. Milton Aguas shows us how to roast and grind coffee from the farm.

Local fruit played a prominent role in our time on the island. Passionfruit was collected daily from the forest around the farm.

We helped with reforestation efforts, with trees such as Scalesia, a unique native member of the daisy family.

On the galapagos we had chances to observe the amazing flora and fauna. At Tijeras we spent some time snorkeling with sea lions.

Sea lions were abundant!

Hiking from the scalesia zone down to the arid zone near Finca Guadalupe, where we entered an Opuntia forest.

As part of our work on the farm, we did lots of clearing mora (raspberries), which are pervasively invasive.

Water is a major issue in the galapagos. Here we visit a developing water source near the farm which is intended to supply the port with piped water from the highlands.

At the galapaguera, we observed tortoises of all ages. Here some juvenile tortoises feed.

Among the many farm activities was making sugar cane juice in a traditional manner.

Blue-booted boobies, one of the many iconic species of wildlife in the galapagos.

Learning about the aquatic ecosystems near the farm, one of the rare areas in the galapagos with year-round fresh water.

Opuntia in the arid zone.