Visiting the Locals

We are off on our way to say hola to the giant tortoises that live a few minutes walk from the house. One of the nice things about living at the Charles Darwin Research Station is being able to wander down the road to see what the tortoises are up to - which usually isn't that much, they are very slow movers. Where ever we go one of the kids always seems to have a stick. My kids come from a long line of stick carriers.












We don't get far before Rata has to stop and pick flowers.








The gate into the large male tortoise enclosure is a small swing gate with a few rock steps leading to it, I guess they can't climb steps so it is enough to stop them escaping.




















Over the lava rocks to see the giant lumps. You are not allowed to touch them or walk on their feeding platform. They spend a lot of time resting, sprawled out with their neck stretched out and their legs splayed as if they have just had a sudden overwhelming urge for a nap where ever they are.













This is number 53, he came ambling over to have a look at Felix. The tortoises are very used to people and largely just ignore them. As this one walked past it's toenails scraping on the rocks, we could hear it breathing like an old man.
















Tara was a little worried so she just needed to hold my hand for a bit.To Tara the tortoises must seem huge, I imagine for a moment seeing a tortoise nearly as tall as me.




















Off down the boardwalk to see the baby tortoises. The kids love to see them when they have been fed, standing at the fence a quiet munching can be heard as groups of tiny tortoises crunch their way through piles of leaves. Each little enclosure has a rock for them to shelter under and we think to practice climbing over obstacles. We have seen some that have fallen onto their back and watch them struggle to right themselves. We haven't yet seen one manage it and we are reluctant to leave until a keeper comes past and turns it over.












The best bit is climbing on the railing around the baby tortoise pens. We are amused by the tall fences for tiny tortoises and the low stone walls for the giant ones. Much harder to put a giant tortoise in your back pocket and take it home.