RSS
Home
Galapagos Islands: the ride of your life
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
All Photos (c) by Terry "Travels With Terry" Zinn
In Spanish, Galapagos, is related to the word saddle, which describes a certain shell shape covering the land tortoise found on the islands by early Spanish explorers. Saddle could not be a better metaphor for the whole Ecuadorian and Galapagos soft adventure experience. A bucket list favorite for travelers, there’s no better time than now to saddle up for the adventure ride of your life in the Galapagos Islands.
It can not be overstated how important your choice is of a tour company when taking an international trip. The details they know how to handle can make or break your travel experience. Ecoventura (www.ecoventura.com) is heartily recommended for their ease of booking and prolific communication to the myriad of questions and requests I had.
Ecoventura is committed to green travel, as exemplified by their newly outfitted 20 guest yacht the M/Y Eric complete with wind turbines and solar panels to supplement energy needs. Even the local frigid birds join in, as they fly above the ships wind turbines – an anachronistic sight! In 2006, Ecoventura became the first Carbon Neutral operation in Galapagos and Ecuador. As a modern traveler, complete with electronic gadgets like camera battery chargers and a photo editing computer, 110 electrical outlets in the cabins and public areas are a modern necessity and certainly a luxury not found on many adventure ships. Check out their website for a listing of their eco awards.
The Ecoventura fleet includes the sister ships to the M/Y Eric, of the Letty and the Flamingo I. They also have the M/Y Sky Dancer which is booked exclusively for divers and does not offer land tours. The Eric is the perfect combination of land tours, snorkeling and sea kayaking experiences, flavored with surprisingly delicious and diverse meals, shared with congenial fellow explorers. Our guides of Lola and Orlando were exemplary in there knowledge and tour leadership.
The beverages at the bar were limited (the only deficiency I found aboard the Eric.) Even though I was assured they would have martini glasses and could make such, this was not the case. A young fellow traveler took pity on me and created a mock martini glass out of cardboard, aluminum foil and plastic wrap. The good natured gift made up for a lack of on board bar ware.
See that Martini at http://www.examiner.com/x-10875-Oklahoma-City-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d28-Martini-Travels-tm-the-non-martini
Upon investigation for my trip I was surprised to find many thousands of human inhabitants on the endangered world heritage site. There is the misconception that these islands are so remote, at 650 miles from South Americas’ Ecuadorian mainland, that nothing other than wild life is allowed to inhabit this stunning volcanic Archipelago.
.jpg)
A typical day of a week’s exploration would be a 7 am wake up call, breakfast and then an 8:15 departure for an hour or twos land tour. Back on board for lunch, a brief rest and the back to a different locale for either snorkeling and swimming or another land tour.
The famous wildlife still exists in abundance. It was easy in my January visit to see
the Nazca, Red and Blue Footed Boobies, with sea lions and marine iguanas in abundance, frigate birds, oaster catchers, sally crabs, lava lizards, penguins, the flightless cormorant (unique to the Galapagos), land iguanas, a variety of Darwin finches among other birds, and of course the name sake Galapagos Land tortoises. Be aware that the Land Tortoise is usually only visible on Santa Cruz Island and not so much in the wild as in corralled areas. This was enlightening to me at how protected they are and how illusive it might be to see one in the true wild.
While my Ecuadorian interior visit held delights, my mind still drifts back to the Galapagos Islands. The memory of an up close panga ride (a small rubber powered dingy) along the Fernandina cliffs packed with wildlife including penguins, and cruising the smooth pacific at sunset with beverage in hand, wind in my hair and 360 degrees of unspoiled natural sea beauty, is an experience that can not be taken away with today’s dour economic issues. A trip to the Galapagos is a priceless mental refreshment in a troubled world.
For more information: www.ecoventura.com and http://www.examiner.com/x-10875-Oklahoma-City-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d28-Martini-Travels-tm-the-non-martini
Related Articles:
Comments
.jpg)
