Wed 15th

Back in touch by text but still cannot send emails to blog. Do not know why as there is wi-fi available.
Ship (Cachalote) had to re-fuel and re-provision.

Arrived in Santa Cruz again (Puerto Ayora) at 3am and disembarked at 8am for a visit to the highlands (920m). We had a long walk up through the vegetation zones (transition, miconia and pampas). It was very muddy and threatening rain. At the top there was an old volcanic cone covered with mud and vegetation - with almost vertical sides. It started to rain just as we got there and Darwin issued us all with bright yellow ponchos. I declined the climb to the top as I could see it would be a very difficult descent. The men of the “camera crew” went – and Darwin ended up carrying their equipment up and down! Those of us who did not climb to the top set off walking back in the rain. Glad to see the bus when we got back to the bottom after slipping and sliding most of the way! On the return journey we stopped to see the huge lava tunnel, again saw the vermillion flycatcher, went to another (best yet) tortoise breeding centre and then into Puerto Ayora and bough some stamps, postcards and an underwater camera – hope to see more sharks to photograph!