The fragile, moon-like landscape of the Galápagos Islands lures more than 100,000 visitors each year despite the archipelago’s remote location 600 miles off the west coast of mainland Ecuador. Ever since Darwin‘s famed visit aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835, travelers have been enchanted by its history, exotic vegetation and wildlife. In order to protect […]
Darwin
Land of the Iguanas
Can you spot the marine iguanas in this photo? With the night of choppy seas behind us, our morning dawns bright on the youngest of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina. For me, this is the most other-worldly island of all . . . From our dry landing at Punta Espinosa (Espinosa Point), we set off on […]
When Stomachs Plummet at Sea
Today we visit both the youngest (Fernandina) and the biggest (Isabela) Islands in the Galapagos Archipelago. But first we have to get there . . . With a 12 – 13 hour cruise ahead of us on somewhat choppy waters, the thought of motion sickness skips across my mind. It shouldn’t be a problem, I […]
Darwin’s Favorite Island
No two days are the same in the Galapagos, as we experience so much diversity in vegetation, wildlife and landscape among the islands from one day to the next. This morning is no different as we visit Darwin’s favorite one, Santiago (James). After our “wet landing” at Puerto Egas, we step barefoot onto the black […]