That very first day we visit the Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island. This is where the breeding program for the Galapagos Giant Tortoises takes place. Eggs from all over the islands are hatched here and the little Giant Tortoises (a ‘little giant’ tortoise sound like a contradiction in terms), are raised here until the age of 5 when they are released in hopes of survival on their own. We see several huge, ancient tortoises as well as amazing prickly pear cacti that grow into huge trees, some over 400 years old.