#GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

[olmoonlight]

ꨄ Galápagos Islands! 💚 💙🌊 🐾🐾🦭🦎🐟🐠🐡🐢🐢🐦🦅

You may of heard of the island from Charles Darwin and his amazing study of species and evolution. These 21 islands have an incredible amount of species that are only found here. Island hoping and spending time with these amazing animals you definitely have to add to your bucketlist!

[dailyhistoryposts]

On This Day In History

September 15th, 1835: Charles Darwin, aboard the HMS Beagle, lands on the Galápagos Islands.

[jfdupuis]

Galápagos Islands

[curatedglobaltravel]

FAMILY LOVE

They say family is everything, but when you plan your annual family vacation, do you take the easy road (for the sake of keeping your sanity) or the road less traveled (for the sake of enriching your experience)?

We suggest getting the best of both worlds with the support of a professional travel planner. Below are four slightly out-of-the-box family vacation ideas with opportunities for education, cultural immersion, and of course, photo albums filled front to back with precious memories.

A MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN TRAIN RIDE

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

If travel is about the journey as much as the destination, a Rocky Mountaineer luxury train is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies. You’ll travel by daylight through the wild beauty of Canada’s West via one of four distinctive rail routes through British Columbia, Alberta, and the Pacific Northwest. Onboard, enjoy dramatic changes in scenery along with luxury service, cuisine, and comfort.

AN ALASKA ADVENTURE CRUISE & TOUR

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE

Alaska is abundant in outdoor thrills, and Royal Caribbean is one of the few cruise brands that can match the same excitement onboard (yes, there are even rock climbing walls). From May through August 2019, their inspiring itineraries combine the best of Alaska's land and sea experiences, leaving your whole family completely spellbound for this diverse destination. Lead a team of huskies across the snow on Hubbard Glacier, brave the world’s longest zip line in Icy Strait Point, and tour totems in Ketchikan. Combine your cruise with a Cruise Tour on land and spend a few extra days exploring some of Alaska’s most iconic sights and venturing into Denali National Park.

A GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS EXPEDITION

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS

Join just under 100 other guests aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, a Lindblad Expeditions ship recently revamped specifically for Galápagos itineraries. This destination's close proximity to the equator creates ideal weather for plentiful and incredibly active wildlife. You’ll quickly learn that these exotic animals lack an instinctive fear of humans, allowing for rare and enchanting interactions. Capture photographs of sea lions on the beach next to you, spot a famous blue-footed booby, or gaze at giant tortoises. When it comes to educational enrichment, the whole family will gather fascinating insight from handpicked naturalists, a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, an undersea specialist, an expedition leader, and even a wellness specialist.

A KENYAN CULTURAL JOURNEY

ME TO WE

Looking to make a difference as a family? Journey comfortably and safely to Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, a landscape rich in colorful local culture and African wildlife. In addition to your quintessential safari, you’ll spend authentic, quality time with Maasai and Kipsigis families and contribute to their communities through hands-on volunteering. Imagine beading necklaces with local mamas as your children play soccer together nearby, or the powerful bond created when your family helps build a new school. These volunteer trips have been carefully vetted by luxury standards and take place throughout the year.

MICHAEL SHANE STEPHENS Curated Global Travel An affiliate of Protravel michael@curatedglobaltravel.com 310.691.7461 curatedglobaltravel.com

CONTACT US NOW TO BOOK YOUR NEXT GETAWAY

[ayyynne]

Time to Galápago-go

Most adventures to the Galápagos Islands begin in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. I spent one full day on a city tour before I left the mainland. We visited two chocolate factories - both complete with samples. Multiple cathedrals and churches. We visited the Virgin of El Panecillo statue, on top to the hill of El Panceillo, with an incredible overlook of the city below. I stood with one foot in each hemisphere at the equator line. The new one. Not the old one. There are two. 

The old “middle of the world” monument is a larger structure, but it’s in the wrong spot. The new line has a smaller monument and sign, and it is part of the Intiñan Site Museummuseum. The new line is verified by GPS. My city adventure ended back at the hotel, in time for a briefing and meet and greet with my new friends for the week.

Part 1: Planes, Trucks, Boats, and Money. 

Up and early to head to the airport (a 30+ minute drive from the heart of Quito) to catch our 9:00 flight. While flying is generally stressful to start with, flying to the Galápagos adds a second layer of stress. There’s a separate security bag check, and they’ll put these blue zip ties on your bag. You need to obtain your transit control card (TCT), with $20 cash. Both of these methods help to a) maintain and track tourism to the islands and b) ensure there is nothing being brought to the islands that can harm the delicate ecosystem.

Our flight, and many of the flights to the islands have a layover. Or I guess it’s not really a layover, more like a stop. You don’t leave the plane. Some people get off, and some more get on. It’s a great time to stretch your legs and use the bathroom while the plane is parked. 45 minutes later we’re back in the air. 

I was surprised to learn there are actually TWO commercial airports in the Galápagos (shows just how much research I did). Aeropuerto Seymour de Baltra, on technically located on Isla Baltra, but adjacent to Santa Cruz. The airport is about 30 miles outside of town, and requires a public bus, to a short boat ride from Baltra to Santa Cruz, and then a longer bus/car/truck ride. 

The other island airport, Aeropuerto de San Cristobal, located on San Cristobal is smaller and much closer to town. Less than a mile from the main commercial area, only about a ten minute walk. But if you have bags, it’s a cheap taxi ride. 

Inter-island travel can be done by plane, or by boats. Plural. A water taxi to a bigger boat to another water taxi to your destination's harbor.  bags are just kind of get tossed on top, or on the back of the water taxis and you just hope they don’t hit a large wake or make a sudden sharp turn because only gravity is holding them down. 

Over the course of the trip, I was on eleven different boats. I sat in the bed of three pick-up trucks (all outfitted with little benches and handles), a couple of open buses, and a handful of vans. I think I used a seatbelt once? Maybe twice? It’s not like there is a whole lot of traffic, or any highway driving, especially on Isabela where the roads are made of sand. 

Use the ATM. The Galápagos are largely cash-based. While there were more places on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal that accepted credit and debit, there was often an upcharge. Make sure you have cash. There are a decent number of ATMs on Santa Cruz and a couple on Cristobal. There’s approximately one on Isabela and as our guide told us, it’s semi-frequently empty. Ecuador uses the US Dollar as their national currency, so us Americans don’t need to worry about conversion math. Interestingly, they use a lot of dollar coins. I think I had more dollar coins in my waller during my week in Ecuador than I have ever had my hands on in my 25+ years. The only place I really see the coins in the US is a change from a vending machine. I even received a JFK half-dollar coin on the trip. I guess Americans just prefer paper.

[vintagewildlife]

Galapagos land iguanas fighting for territory By: Alan Root From: The Fascinating Secrets of Oceans & Islands 1972

[manessha545]

Panchita Tunnel, Galápagos, Ecuador: Panchita Tunnel is an intriguing lava tube/cave on Rancho Primicias next to El Chato Tortoise Reserve, in the highlands near Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, in the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador, South America. As you descend into the tunnels via stairs, you quickly lose sight of the sun and enter the darkness. Even though they have lights hung throughout. you still have limited visibility.

[crowtrobotx]

I know you were all on the edges of your seats waiting for the update: last night’s Geoguessr rounds resulted in me @patchworkgargoyle and @ladygrisailledreams bearing witness to hilarious cat art and a tortoise sploot.

[boneless-mika]

*convinced nobody will like my YouTube content*

[sspellmen]

[dykes4timrand]

do you have a cool bird fact?

this is a vampire ground finch and it eats normal finch foods like bugs and berries, but true to its name it also drinks blood! it stabs boobies (birds) and drinks their blood lol

[jfdupuis]

Galápagos Islands

[thebotanicalarcade]

n326_w1150 by Biodiversity Heritage Library Via Flickr: The North American sylva;. Philadelphia,Rice, Rutter & co.,1865.. biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29146736

[radicallicious]

matt smith was in my city like three days ago wtf 😐

[ketrinadrawsalot]

The Galápagos penguin is endemic to the Galápagos Islands and is the rarest penguin. Because they can't breed when ocean surface temperatures are above 25C, they're especially affected by climate change. Ecotourism is also a threat, due to littering and irresponsible birdwatching.