Galapagos Magic

Blue Footed Boobie - The Galapagos Poster Child

The Galapagos Islands are truly fascinating because of their diversity. Ocean tides, currents and winds have all influenced their animal inhabitants and the natural features of each island – as we would discover during our January 2008 visit.

All the more fascinating is that the reptiles, birds, mammals and marine life present have evolved over time, living in relative isolation with few predators.

The Galapagos Islands have a long history – pirates used the Islands to regroup, hide treasure, take on supplies and giant tortoises (for food) in the 1600s.

In 1835 HMS Beagle brought Charles Darwin to the Islands. Darwin spent five weeks studying the fauna learning that it was possible to distinguish which island a tortoise came from by the shape of its shell. He observed that a species adapts to its environment as necessary to survive, publishing his theory in the Origin of Species in 1859.

In 1959 Ecuador declared the Galapagos Islands a national park and in 1964 the Charles Darwin Research Station opened on Santa Cruz as a centre for education and conservation.

Barking Sea Lion on North Seymour

Marine Iguana - unique to the Galapagos and a perfect example of Darwin's theory

Arriving from Quito on mainland Ecuador, our week-long adventure on board the Celebrity Xpedition took us from Baltra to the islands of North Seymour, Espanola, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, San Cristobal and Floreana. Our treks ashore were led in small groups by knowledgeable guides from the Galapagos Parks Service.

Sally Lightfoot Crab - black at birth to hide from predators, it becomes yellow and orange at maturity

Every day a variety of land excursions were offered - from low, medium to high intensity.

Land Iguana can live up to 60 years

There were wet and dry landings via zodiac, snorkelling and swimming and every night after dinner informative talks were given on the following day’s activities.

This was not a “lounging around” cruise by any means – more like boot camp, but you came back wanting more marvelling at both the harshness and perfection of nature.

Fur Seal is not shy about hijacking a fishing boat as a place to nap

We had not been expecting how different every island would be – in fact every day really was a brand new adventure and a joy to experience.

Giant Tortoise which can weigh up to 500 lbs and live well over 100.

Suffice it to say - a picture is worth a thousand words.