We arranged for a tour of the island through a local guy, Fernando. We were with a group of three other couples from the US and a great guide named Chito. The tour took us first to the Galapagueria, a preservation that was built 2 years ago to help rebuild the Galapagos (tortoise) population. We saw several huge tortoises- about 90 years old and 200 lbs, as well as many endemic birds and plants.

From there, we visited the Junta, which is an inactive volcano and the highest point on the island. The volcano is filled with fresh water, and we were told the 2nd purest water on the planet. There was an incredibly view of the entire island and Santa Cruz in the distance.

Next was a very small village called Soledad (solidarity), that has a population of about 80 people, all related. There was a tiny church and reception area that is still used for weddings and other ceremonies today. Next was on to the Playa de Lobos (beach of the sea islands) - where we saw not sea lions, but iguanas. The kind found here swim in the water and then get out, sun themselves on the rocks, and snort the salt our of their noses. It's pretty interesting to see.

The final stop was lunch as Fernando's mother's house. She had prepared a huge meal for the group which was outstanding. After lunch, he pulled out several old logbooks that cruisers had signed over the years-hundreds and hundreds of them!