Before everyone emails and tells me I´ve got it wrong. The picture is of the Easter islansds and not Galapagos. Can´t find a picture of the Galapagos, don´t know why and this site won´t let me continue unless I put a picture in so there you have it.

I am presently on Santa Cruz, and sail to Isle Isabella this afternoon to look after giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin station there. Don´t know what I will be doing but will soon find out.

Went to the Charles Darwin Research station here yesterday. Saw Lonesome George, thought to be the oldest tortoise in the world and the last of his kind. If they can´t find a mate for him his type will die out. But the good side of things is that there is another Giant Tortoise called Diagio who is fathering babies at a tremendous rate (around 2000 at the last count) so at least his breed will continue. There are lots of types of Giant Tortoises and their shells are all different shapes. No doubt I´ll find out loads more about them over the next few weeks.

Came here from Quito in Ecuador. The weather there was not particularly good and it is nice to be down at sea level and able to breathe. Quito is only 2500 mtrs but most of us seemed to find it quite tiring. Was not over impressed with Quito, there is a nice old town with squares and the usual cathedrals and churches and old buildings. However, there were more people there begging and a young Dutch girl I had coffee with had her bag stolen as we sat at the cafe. I found the whole place a bit intimidating and was glad to get to Galapagos.

Today is bright hot sun - long may it continue.

I gather that the internet on Isabella is even slower than here and I´ve been here for what seems like hours doing this so don´t know when or how often I will update my diary but please keep in touch. Take care out there.