We just returned from an incredible week in the Galapagos Islands preceded and followed by a few days in Quito, Ecuador–the Galápagos Islands are an Ecuadorian National Park.
We spent six days on board the M/V Santa Cruz, an expedition ship with 81 passengers. Each day entailed 2-3 adventures including boat rides, walks on land and lava, and snorkeling trips.
Among the many animals we saw were: giant tortoises, penguins, iguanas (marine and land), sea lions, and many kinds of birds (including the famous blue footed boobies as well as frigate birds, mockingbirds, finches, and gulls). In the water, we saw (and swam with) sea turtles, sharks, barracudas, rays, and many other kinds of colorful fish. The amazing thing about the Galapagos is that you can walk among the animals and they ignore you; in fact, it is like you are invisible. You see nature from birth to death in its own habitat. Check out our post on Galapagos Animals to see more pix of the amazing animals indigenous to the Galapagos!
The guides on the ship emphasized ecology, conservation, and sustainability as well as history (Darwin and his historic voyage in 1836). We visited the Darwin Research Center where they are preserving native plants and breeding tortoises to ensure their survival and stability.
We met lots of wonderful people on board from all over the world: England, South Africa, Israel, Peru, Canada, and Argentina. Although there were no other children on board, there was a great family (the McLeans) from New Zealand in our expedition group–which was named the Gulls. Asher and Aliya loved being with their three kids and niece, all in their 20’s and early 30’s.
Highlights of the week included Asher snorkeling with a sea lion and having access to unlimited hot chocolate on board; Aliya doing karaoke, snorkeling, and being with the “big girls”; Raquel swimming with the penguins and taking great photos with her new camera; and Ben jumping off the ship (a planned activity) and open-sea snorkeling.
We also visited a sugar can plantation where the kids tried new fruits, squeezed the sugar from the cane, saw how “moonshine” is made, and leaned about roasting coffee.
We were there in the “winter” (dry season) which was a bit cooler, windier, and rougher–thank goodness for the larger boat which provided some stability. Nevertheless, we did have one night of very heavy seas. Due to the benefits of Dramamine, Asher and Aliya slept through the night; Raquel and Ben slept through most of it…..the positive side of the heavy seas–the Humbolt current–was the sea was full of plankton and other nutrients which allowed us to see whales one evening.
We had a wonderful view from our cabin:
Asher even had a chance to perform with the captain!
what great pics they give us a wonderful sense of your trip and you all look so happy love gran.
Looks and sounds amazing! What songs did Asher sing with the Captain and Aliya sing for karaoke?
Asher sang a song where he had to bark like a sea lion! Aliya would have made Jonah proud when she sang a heavy metal song (I think either Metalica or Aerosmith) that she sang with a great group of young women whom she met on the boat.