Advertisement
Published: September 25th 2007
Edit Blog Post
nice water
Who wouldn´t want to swim here. The crabs, iguanas and sea lions sure enjoy it.-Isla Hispanola There is really only so much that one person can take in. Visiting the Galapagos has really challenged my personal capacity to absorb and experience. I sit here writing this on on the sun deck of our unfortunately named boat, the SeaMan. and although I'm slightly distracted by the crazy german lady getting 3rd degree sunbuns between her almost nude panty hose and rolled up capris, I can't help but ask myself if I could have seen more or experienced more here during our 7 day cruise (Thank god we opted for the 7 day stay, and not the 3 or 4 day cuise). But I have to believe the true answer is no.
We saw thousands of crawling and swimming iguanas and lizards, hundreds of sea lions, giant turtles, blue and red footed boobies, mating albatroses, colorful crabs, pelicans, flamingos, dolphins and more. We swam with penguins, sea turtles, sting rays, sharks, seals and every size and color of fish imaginable... and that was in just a one hour snorkel trip on one lucky day. The strange thing about the Galapagos is that you can "see it all" but you are still left wondering if you could have seen
pretty booby
The bluest blue footed booby we saw duing the trip. And he knew how to pose! more.
The place is a living laboratory that is always changing into something different. When I leave, the islands will continue shifting in the ocean and the plant and animal life will continue adapting to the ever changing environment. Visiting the islands, it is easy to see how Darwin was inspired by the nature here to develop one of the most simple yet fundamental natural scientific theories ever known= That life on the islands and life on earth has developed from something infinitely primative and has evolved in order to adapt and survive the changing conditions of the environment. And it will continue to adapt and change in order to continue existence. The islands, huddles alone here in the Pacific Ocean display clear and indisputable evidence of evolution. Scientists could not have created it better if they tried. Just put a few species out on uninhabitable islands fo a few million years and see what happens! Every animal here is an example. The same species of finches developed different shaped beaks to feed better on the particular island they lived on. The flightless commodore never adapted to fly because there were no predators. They instead evolved to use their
newborn1
This little pup was born just hours before this photo was taken. (see the placenta)- Isla Hispanola energy on other tasks, such as succesful mating or becoming talented fisherman. I could continue on and on... but you can just google Darwin and Galapagos instead!
The most shocking thing about visiting the islands is the close proximity one has to the animals. No need to seek them out here, they appoach us. On many islands it is important to watch the ground as we walk so we do not trip over a sea lion or stomp on a lizard. Some people mistakenly think that this is because the animals have become tame because of the tourists. The real reason they are so friendly is because they have never experienced predators. In the first written account of the islands in the 1500's, the animals were descibed as being so stupid that they could be easily caught by hand for food. It is difficult to describe what it is like when you step off a boat and a sea lion hobbles right up to you and looks at you with his big eyes that seem to beg you to go and play with him. To the animal, you might as well be another sea lion. Luckily, when we saw
sea lions on the beach
We had the afternoon to relax with the sealions on this beautiful beach. (Gardner Bay) the white tipped reef shark while snorkeling, he did not find us so approachable...
Our boat was a 12 meter by 5 meter vessel that held 16 passengers and 6 crew. This is the legal maximum for boats in Galapagos. There are lager yachts, like the 100 passenger Carnival Cruise luxury boat. It is important to note that these boats ae illegal but continue to sail due to a legal loophole. If you happen to be considering a visit to the islands, do not choose an illegal boat and try to take one owned and run by Ecuadorians. This is not the place for luxury liners. If you can't bear to take a cruise without a close by swimming pool and dancefloor, go to the Carribean or Europe. Our trip was not for conventional relaxation. We were up by 7 am every day and were hiking or swimming almost all day. While there were a couple hours to nap or relax on the sundeck, you don't really get the urge to lay in your bathing suit all day. Partly because of the oft cloudy weather and also because the average temperature while we were there was about 70 degrees.
sunset2
Checking out the sunset fromt he top of the boat. Also, while I escaped seasickness, it was nice to be on the solid ground for a while each day. Our cabins were about 6 ft by 5ft with a ceiling height of 6 ft (sorry dad!), so most of the time was spent outside. The food was good and there was always hot chocolate after snorkeling or a snack after hiking on the island. The boat and the staff were wonderful and our guide Raul was great. But these things (except the guide) are not all that important. With a little natural curiousity, the islands and the animals are fascinating and the hours pass like minutes as you stare at the animals.
I was a little worried what the tour would be like, having so many restrictions (usually not walking freely or alone often) and having to always be with other people. However, it was never a problem because the restrictions are important fo the protection of the animals. It is also evident right away that this place is unique in the world and it is not meant for me alone.
If it seems like this blog is just a quick summary that barely scratches the surface of
Mocking bird
The mocking bird would not leave me alone. he wanted some fresh water. He didn't get any. this spectacular trip, that is because it is.... Matt will soon be publishing our more specific accounts of each day. But I thought that this little summary and some of our photos may hold you over to whenever his version is actually published!
But here are some of my favorites- TOP 3 FAVORITE ANIMALS
1. Waved albatros- While one of the smaller albatrosses in the world, they are cartoon like but beautiful (and still sport a 6 ft wing span). Yes, they are a bit clumsy and their waddle lacks grace, but their elaborate mating ritual is spectacular to watch. They dance in front of each other, waving their necks fom side to side and they clatter their bills together loudly. They mate for life. Look at the video I got of them in the act at the top of this page.
2. Sea turtle- These are less famous than the giant Galapagos land turtles. We saw 3 sea turtles while snorkeling and they are incredible. They glide slowly though the water and are often freindly enough to come face to face with us. They make my favorite list because of their sheer beauty. You won't see
feeding
Although the albatros looks like it is trying to eat its chick, he is really just feeding him. (Isla Hispanola) their photo here on the blog, but we got a few good shots with our underwater camera.
3. Sea lions- I am not talking about the defensive Californian kind that chew girls arms off...These are friendly and they are hard to resist. They are also had to avoid and are virtually spread out over every speck of land throughout the islands. They are playful and noisy and are incredibly agile swimmers. Although they originally evolved from bears, they still have a strangely human like quality. They are still a bit intimidating in the water, and some are twice the size of a human. One passenger on our boat got a little too close and a wave pushed him into a sea lion bull. The bull responded by giving him a bite. But he was nice enough to place the bite about 2 inches away from any vital repoductive organs.
RUNNER-UP- The blue footed booby. This is Matt's favorite, so I did not choose it. Though calm, strange looking and colorful, it also can dive from 50 meters in the air into the ocean and swim to find some fish for dinner. Check out the video on Matts (future) blog.
Frigates
Right after we got on the boat, the frigate birds were flying with us. We were excited then... by the end of the trip we barely noticed them! That is it for now! Tonight we head toward the jungle (Sani Lodge) for a few days. I have a feeling we might actually have to seek out the animals there. But that is okay, I don't want any black caimans or pythons coming for me anyways!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.111s; Tpl: 0.038s; cc: 11; qc: 63; dbt: 0.059s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb