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The Galapagos
Ecuador,
South America |
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National Geographic made a list of the 51 places
that will change your life. This list was published at the end of the 20th century.
The 51st place was cyber space and the rest of the places were great cities, landscapes,
monuments etc. I love this list and carry it with me daily. In February 2000,
Gilles and I along with 2 other friends embarked on a journey that featured three
places on the list The Galapagos, Machu Picchu and the Amazon River. This trip
did change our lives. |
1 B | |
2 A | |
We went with a fantastic organization International
Expeditions in Alabama. We could not speak more highly of a company and can't
wait to go to Africa with them in the future. They designed a private tour of
Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Amazon for us.
To enjoy this type of trip you need to be reasonably physically fit and not fussy
( leave your American comforts at home ) and open to new experiences that "
will change your life ". |
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Sea lions greet you every where you go. The
best advise about the Galapogos is to be on a small boat. Our boat had 10 cabins.
Because the islands are so regulated and our group so small we went to two islands
daily and had two snorkelings daily. The Equadorians are so earnest they want
you to see and do everything these islands have to offer. Busy and invigorating.
You will not rest like the sea lions here. |
3 B | |
4 A | |
There is nothing like the first experience we
had on our first island. We went to Tower Island and climbed some so called stairs
to the top. Once we reached the top "voila" the birds greeted us. The
Boobies and the Frigate birds were all within inches of us, as if to say "
Welcome ". |
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The Equadorians have enormous respect for the
animals, they come first and you are the guest. No wonder Darwin studied here. |
5 B | |
6 A | |
Boobie chicks are also there to greet the guests.
The birds are so confident that no one will bother them the mothers can leave
the chick alone while they catch food. |
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Thousands of sea Iguanas. Up close they look
like they have a perpetual smile. |
7 B | |
8 A | |
A fmily photograph. |
| The Equadroians
are so proud of their islands and they keep you so busy this is something you
will not do on the Galapagps. Remember this is a trip not a vacation. |
9 B | |
10 A | |
The turtles were so large and had such a distinct
odor ( we are being kind) they were amazing creatures to watch. They are larger
than you can imagine and some of them are older than the USA.Imagine getting within
inches of these creatures. |
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This is at the Darwin Station. They are in captivity
for breeding and health reasons. There is an area there that has these turtles
being raised from just hatching until they are mature young ones where they are
let out into the wild. |
11 B | |
12 A | |
One of the rare land Iguanas. We were lucky
to see one of the magnificant creatures. They are not as big as the sea Iguanas.
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13 B | |
14 A | |
This picture reminds us of our cat LuLu. |
| International
Expeditions website:
www.internationalexpeditions.com
email nature@ietravel.com
Tel. 800
633 4734 |
15 B | |
16A | | |
| The
Harbor at the Darwin Station, one of the few little towns on the Galapagps. |
17 B | |
