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The Galapagos Islands are a
group of about 40 islands which lie 650
miles west of Ecuador in South America.
We began our trip with a few days in
Quito, the capital of Ecuador. There we
took tours to various parts of the city
as well as journeying to a native market
several hours from the city. One of
these tours took us to the spot where
the equator passes through the country.
This leads to a great disappointment in
my life. A kind stranger asked if we
would like for him to take a photograph
of Dave and I standing at the equator.
We held hands, he being on one side and
I being on the other and the nice man
snapped the photo. When we got our
pictures back, there wasn't one of us at
the equator. I can only assume, when he
heard my camera focus, he thought it
took the picture. RATS. So, in the photo
album is a drawing of two stick figures,
holding hands over the equator. Next
time I'll use the timer function!We finally set off on our adventure to the Galapagos, a place I never dreamed I'd ever visit. We spend the first night on the island of Santa Cruz which is one of three islands with human population, and the most populated. It is on this island that has the Darwin Research Station where they are breeding the giant Tortoises (Galapagos means tortoise in Spanish), to try to repopulate the island from which they came. The first Spaniards that discovered the islands would take these animals and fill their holds, stacking them one on top of another, as a source for food. They live a long time without food or water and provided fresh meat for their journey back to Europe. They took so many of these gentle creatures that some have become extinct and most others are endangered. If it weren't for the Darwin Station's efforts, most would be lost to the world. Another sad commentary of what man does to nature. We were fortunate to see some in the wild on this island, and they are so old, there is moss growing on their shells.
We toured the island both by bus and by boat and saw many things we've never seen before including Iguana which were so tame, you could touch them.
The next day we boarded our "home" for the next 10 days, the Reina Silvia, which was a boat that held 18 passengers, not including the crew.
Every day we went to several destinations, each one totally different than the other. The islands are very close to one another yet the birds of the same species are totally different from one island to the other. This is where Darwin came up with his theory of Evolution. He studied the finches on each island and noticed the differences in their size, configuration of their beaks, coloration, etc. All of which lend themselves to the habitat of the island on which they lived. If there was mainly seeds as a food source, the beaks were more conical and strong. If flowers were their main source of food, the beak was long and pointy. If they survived on insects, it was something in between. And each bird was the ancestor of the same species. They each became an endemic species of the island on which they lived and never strayed to a neighboring island. An example of evolution for all to see. It is truly fascinating.
Each beach supports vast herds of sea lions which are so tame, you could touch them (you are not allowed to touch any of the animals, however, because they would get the scent of your perfume, suntan lotion, etc. and the babies and parents use scent as one way to distinguish their family). The number of people on each island is strictly limited to 30, you cannot go off the marked path and must be accompanied by a licensed naturalist.
We snorkeled quite a bit and one day I was the first one in the water. There is a species of small penguin (the Galapagos Penguin) which were in the water when I jumped in. I was lucky to get some photos with my underwater camera before they swam away. We also snorkeled with sea lions and, believe it or not, SHARKS. We were told they were harmless White Tipped Reef sharks, but they looked pretty large and menacing to moi. I never claimed to be smart!
Part of the magic of these islands, aside from the beauty and diversity of wildlife and scenery, is how tame the animals and birds are. You literally have to walk around them! Besides the finches, other species have evolved to be seen only on these islands. The only known marine Iguana lives here as does the flightless cormorant whose wings have become stunted from lack of use. The seas are so rich with food, they had not reason to leave land and are no longer able to fly.
Besides all the aforementioned critters, we saw countless Blue-footed Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, Masked Boobies, Frigate birds, California Fur seals, sea turtles, tropic birds, whimbrel, hawks, barn owls, flamingos,lava lizards, Sally Lightfoot crabs, stilts, too many more to mention.
The scenery is also something that is different on each island. Some are nothing but barren lava fields, others lush with vegetation, others flat,some hilly, some with craters, yet each one beautiful in its own way.
When we left I said we'd probably never go back, but after writing this and reliving all we saw, I'm beginning to change my mind. Perhaps it is a "twice in a lifetime" experience!
PHOTOGRAPHS OF GALAPAGOS
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