Market Day in the Galapagos Islands
Katie Harper, Destination Expert.
I didn't think things could get much better as I left the Darwin Station, on the Island of Santa Cruz. I had been taken round the famous research centre by my guide, Gabriela, an Ecuadorian whose quick wit, incredible knowledge and unstinting enthusiasm never ceased to entertain during the trip. Gabriela had pointed out ‘Lonesome George', that world-wide celebrity famous for being the last of his kind, a Pinta Island Giant Tortoise and I had marvelled at the sight of this ninety year old animal - labelled by some as the ‘rarest creature in the world'.
I thought the sight of Lonesome George would be the most extraordinary moment of my trip but I hadn't banked on how far the Galapagos are from life as we know it.... Walking into the picturesque town of Puerto Ayora, I spotted the usual hustle and bustle around the market and wondered what the added commotion was about. Then I spotted about 50 pelicans and a handful of well-fed sea lions that were bombarding the market with the aim of stealing a tasty morsel . As one might shoo away a stray cat, the resigned market stall holders tried to frighten off the sea lions; meanwhile a sneaky pair of pelicans had swooped in and thieved a prize piece of tuna. Along with the crowd of onlookers I could have watched this spectacle all day but it was time to head back on board.... Just another market day in the Galapagos, the land of extraordinary occurrences.
