Puerto Ayora Dock (ps)
We awoke on Tuesday anchored on Santa Cruz in Academy Bay alongside the busy port of Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in the islands (pop.15,000.) Most of the Galapagos Islands remain virtually uninhabited except for the wild creatures, so this visit allowed us to see a bit of Ecuadorian life here in its most outlying territory.
One of the shops in town (ps)

After landing in our zodiacs on the main dock of the busy little town, we observed a frantic scene at the local open air dockside fish market, where workers wielding enormous knives were slicing open huge fresh-caught fish surrounded by a hungry horde of birds, all screeching and jostling for a share. We saw frigate birds, pelicans, and even one heron and a sea lion, all attempting to monopolize this feast.
Fish Market at Puerto Ayora (ps)
Pelicans at the Fish Market (sz)

This is the closest I have ever been to a Great Blue Heron. Only two feet away!
Great Blue Heron (sz)
The Giant Tortoise and Blue-footed Booby are honored with giant sculptures (ps)
Cemetary in town (ps)
Artesanias Israel with Sandy in front (ps)



We spied this shop from the bus and thought that it would have Israeli goods for sale. But alas, it was just like all the rest.

Fish Market

Watch the Frigatbirds circling the fish market






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Puerto Ayora (ps)

Frigatebird circling the Fish Market (sz)
Frigatebird landing at the Fish Market (sz)