The Animals Are MIA - I know!

Okay, I finally, after all this time, posted my Galapagos blog. I know, thanks for reading. I attempted to upload pictures of adorably cute animals but for whatever reason blogspot wasn't cooperating. I'm still working on it though.

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of - The Galapagos Islands

Ever since I can remember I wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands and as I was traveling around I kept running into people who had been and said that it was the most amazing place in the world. It wasn’t too long after I finished school and started traveling around parts other than Peru that I decided to put the destination on my itinerary. And man, am I ever glad I did. I’m also glad I took my camera and my camcorder because without those things I think it would be hard to believe that I actually did go. It is a surreal place.

For eight days I traveled around on a 96 foot schooner yacht, crewed by six, and temporary home to 14 tourists, and two bird enthusiasts. As with every memorable trip, the people play a key role. And I can say that we had the most lovely group (save one) and not only will I never forget the amazing animals I saw while I was there, I will also always remember the wonderful people I met.

It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you’re going full-throttle, and we did just that. Even while we were sleeping the crew was generally busy getting us to our next destination. Each day we had at least two excursions. Sometimes that would be a walkabout on an island, sometimes a ride on the panga, snorkeling, each day was something different. Each night our guide, Juan, went over the animals we had seen that day and then gave us a rundown on what was in store for us the next day.

One of the things most impressionable about the islands is that they are all so different. Generally, animals that live on one island only live on that island, and that’s not the only difference. The vegetation also changes. One island might be covered by volcanic rocks and little vegetation while the next might have the most colorful landscape made up of scrub plants. Some islands have jagged cliffs while others have gently sloping, sandy beaches. Generally this wouldn’t be a hard concept to wrap your head around but here, everything is in such close proximity. You’re constantly wondering “How in the world can these places look so completely different?”

Of course I saw a gazillion and a half adorable, I-really-want-to-stuff-you-in-my-bag, puppy dog-eyed baby sea lions. I could have stayed with those little guys forever. My next favorite? The Pacific Green Sea Turtles. I was fortunate to see probably more than my fair share of these beautiful creatures. I saw two mating on the beach, saw them swimming in the ocean, relaxing on the beach, and even got to snorkel with them. After that, I’d probably have to go with the Galapagos Flycatcher. This guy is a little brown and yellow bird but so sweet looking. I saw hundreds of beautiful birds and some not so beautiful birds but this little guy is tops in my book. We saw some of the meanest looking, most chilled out marine iguanas I’ve ever seen in my life. I got a huge crack out of how they would dogpile each other to stay warm. The land iguanas aren’t too shabby either. Their bright yellow and orange colors demand that you give them a second look. As for land turtles, I got to get up close and personal with those enormous guys and gals in both a refuge and out in the wild. It’s amazing to know that something that starts out so small - when they are babies they fit in the palm of your hand, can grow to the size of a lounge chair (although fortunately for them they don’t have the same shape).

That’s a little about the animals. Now for the people because like I said before…good company is the key to a memorable journey. And speaking of good company, I would have given my right arm to have had Ross as my roommate for this part of my journey. Gee whiz did I miss that guy especially after I met my roomie. The only thing I will say about her is that I hope she either 1) stops traveling – I’m pretty sure she’s the reason why people think Americans are rude, or 2) stops complaining and saying mean things i.e. becomes a nice person. Enough said about her, it’s a good thing I almost have a selective memory, I’ve almost forgotten how bad she was at this point. :o)

Let’s see, who should I start with first? Hum…how about José from Spain. It’s amazing when one travels to a Spanish speaking country and there are hardly any people who speak Spanish but that’s exactly what José ran into on his Galapagos trip. The only people on the boat who spoke any Spanish were the crew, our guide, and me. We got to be good friends. He’s a swell guy. An attorney in Madrid, who like I used to be, rarely ever takes a break from work to enjoy life. For me, this friendship was the best of both worlds. I got to make a new friend and I got to practice lots of Spanish. It is so cool to speak another language! Yahoo!

Next up…Wyn and Gill, from Wales. This amazing couple, when they were having a conversation between just the two of them, would speak in Welsh. Although I never did ask how old they are, my guess is somewhere in their mid 60’s. They are both former attorneys but now Wyn serves as a judge and Gill is a mediator. They are both so regal and yet so warm at the same time. They kind of reminded me of the baby sea lions, I just wanted to pack them up and take them home as well.

Jayne is a girl after my own heart. She and I are almost the same age. And like me, although she hasn’t given up on love, apparently it’s elusive for her as well. So, what does she do to occupy her free time? She travels. She’s been all over the place and I loved hearing her Africa stories and all the other amazing places she’s been. She also has trouble finding someone who will go with, so instead of staying home, she goes and does. She is also an animal lover and works in the corporate offices of a pet store in England.

Liz, now let me tell ya about this lady. She is absolutely amazing! She’s originally from England but signed up for the army when she was right out of school, she said, so she could travel. Her plan actually worked and she’s been all over the world. She currently lives in Crete but will be heading to Afghanistan to serve 6 months there. She celebrated her 50^th birthday while we were on our trip. She has 5 more years and then she’ll be able to retire. She was always so upbeat and positive the entire time and a real classy lady.

Jill, Howie, Mark, and Josh – The four of these guys pretty much were a package deal and the majority of the time stuck together pretty close but they were very sweet. The guys were all computer programmers (Howie and Josh are brothers). Jill works for a school district and I’m pretty sure she said she was in charge of teacher training. She and Howie are getting married in September so I know she’s going to be a very busy girl between now and then. The two of them at one point laid down next to some sea lions and a baby sea lion came up and started licking Jill’s toes. I’ll admit, it was hard not to be a little jealous while I snapped that picture.

Amy & Paul – This amazing couple from northern California have been together for nearly 20 years already and they’re not much older than me. They have such an amazing friendship. They both quit their jobs 15 months ago and have been traveling around the world. They have a great outlook on life and I enjoyed hearing about their travels, plans for the future, and exactly how they’ve managed to spend so much time together and still like one another.

Hans & the mystery man – I know, it sounds strange to me that I could spend eight days with someone and still not know their name but I have proof it is possible. Not only do I not know this guy’s name, the only thing I really do know about him is he and Hans are friends. The mystery man didn’t speak English and since my German is really bad these days I suppose that explains a little. Hans on the other hand, did speak a bit of English and I found out he’s an artistic welding teacher in Germany. Very interesting guy…I will always remember him using his cell phone to take very up close and personal pictures of animals strictly for documentation purposes.

Jessica – I think I’ve already said enough about her and frankly, I chose to forget that part. :o)

Brian – I have given this guy the award for most interesting life story (1^st runner up was the girl I met in Brazil who was a squatter in London – she had some tales). Brian is a London ex-pat who lives in Kuwait City. He is a biology teacher and a bird enthusiast. When I met him, he was a little more than half-way done with his 18 month sabbatical and adventure around the world. According to him, teaching in Kuwait, although it pays well, it’s not as lucrative as making homemade beer, wine, and whiskey. From the sound of it, Brian has his own speakeasy going on buying up to 40 cases of unfermented beer a week. I asked him at one point after I’d learned the details of his hobby (which has completely paid for his round-the-world trip I might add) if he was worried what they would do to him if he was found out. His response, “All that will happen is I’ll lose my job and they’ll deport me.” Well, considering some of the punishments I’ve heard of in the Middle East getting fired and kicked out of the country doesn’t sound too awful bad. But still.

So, nearly six months since I was in The Galapagos you finally hear about the adventure. Sorry it’s taken me so long. Up next, tales from Columbia. Cheers!