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THE
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Formed
millions of years in a burst of volcanic activity, this enchanted
archipelago is like a splatter of land on the equator and separated
from its mother country, Ecuador, by 600 miles of ocean. Over time,
lizards, birds, and plant and marine life made their way to the
Galapagos (some of which came riding pieces of driftwood) to propagate
and evolve in a setting completely removed from the rest of the
changing world.
Because the islands are 970 km (600 miles) offshore, most of what
is here is either endemic or traveled here through some natural
means. To help keep the Galapagos Islands natural, you must never
throw garbage overboard, even if it's biodegradable, you can't smoke
on the islands, nor should you stray from the marked pathways. The
Galapagos National Park encourages ecologically aware visitation
and the guides are responsible for making our impact minimal. When
you see how pristine these islands are, you'll want to do whatever
is necessary to leave only as a reminder of your presence.
What are the Galapagos like?
When Charles Darwin arrived to the islands in 1835, he admitted
being a bit horrified by the thousands of iguanas that he encountered.
"One doesn't get used to their hideous
appearance, one is never entirely free of a sense of unease. Some
say they look like guardians of Hell or condemned spirits or dragon
spawn." - Charles Darwin
Because of their isolation from humans, both land and sea animals
remain more or less fearless and unaffected by visitors. Being part
a tour at the Galapagos, you will be amazed at how close you are
able to get to the creatures of these enchanted islands. On land
you will find yourself watching your step, amongst all of Darwin's
hideous beasts (iguanas), as well as nesting blue-footed boobies,
sea lions and who knows what else.
These islands are uniquely positioned in-between 3 ocean currents,
creating a climate unlike any other in the world. This is why, about
one forth of the animals on the Galapagos are only found on these
islands.
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