I went with my host family to help out with coffee-picking and to see the giant tortoises roaming around the farm. The family has a big coffee farm at the “parte alta” or the highlands of Sta. Cruz, island. This place offers a lush contrast to the beaches and other parts of the lowlands.
Anyone coming to visit the Galapagos can surely volunteer by picking coffee beans, it is fun and relaxing! The family I stayed with might offer some accommodation for you in their house, or depending on the arrangement with them. I was just lucky that they responded to my email. It’s a good deal since the Galapagos islands can be expensive, especially if you are planning to stay here for a while like I did! There are also other volunteering opportunities here, you can check workaway, the travel agencies, and scuba dive shops.
After the coffee-picking, I went around on my own to explore the farm and to check out these tortoises they had been telling me about. So far, I had only seen the old tortoises like the one above at the Charles Darwin Research Station. I was more keen to see them roaming in their natural habitat this time.
I was really surprised when I first saw one as I have never seen a huge tortoise before. I was trying my best not to stress it out with photos though, as it could give a loud roar and hide its head.
They are the world's largest tortoises, with more than 5 feet in length and reaching 550 pounds.
The tortoises arrived on the Galapagos island about 3 million years ago. Perhaps they are the remaining giant tortoises of the Galapagos islands. Averaging 100 years old, giant tortoises are the longest-lived vertebrates.
Ok I was unfaithful but that was like 150 years ago.
The Galapagos tortoises are now considered as endangered or critically endangered. They are now strictly protected by the Ecuadorian government, and the Charles Darwin Research Station’s captive breeding efforts have some positive effects.
I envy Galapagos tortoises’ simple and uncomplicated life - eat, sleep, repeat. Everything is available for them here, they just just graze on grass, leaves, and cactus. Then sunbathe and sleep for around 16 hours a day. What a good life right! They can also survive up to a year without eating or drinking due to their large stores of water and slow metabolism. Now that’s something that I want!
I walked up to the lava tunnel close to the farm. Here I was able to explore a cavernous underground Lava Tunnel where you can see the geological wonders of this volcanic island. Actually, I missed the entrance as I was distracted by the tortoises and the nice scenery. I got lost in the moment as I walked. So I entered the tunnel through the exit area and did it in reverse, there was no guard anyway. It was just me walking through dark the lava tunnel at the beginning, and nothing really special though. Then I saw one tourist at the end of the dark tunnel, and she was wondering why I was going to the opposite way.
By the way, you don’t need to take an expensive tour to get to the highlands, it is very close to Puerto Ayora town. You can just take the public bus or a taxi, then ask about the coffee farm, tortoises reserve, and the underground tunnel. Nature can be enjoyed for free and there are some activities in the Galapagos that can be done on a budget.