San Cristobal Island
Today is our last day in paradise, an adventure which seems unreal during which we all bounded as one. This week we have taken you back through time, traveling from Fernandina to San Cristobal Islands, which are the youngest and one of the oldest in the archipelago, on an expedition of discovery.
San Cristobal Island is one of the eldest in the Galapagos. Today the weather is on our side which makes for a favorable walk on the island. We landed on a green olivine beach while others opted for a Zodiac ride along the coast to search for red-footed boobies.
Punta Pitt also has impressive scenery from up above – here we can see the position of the sun and are able to tell the direction of the sea breeze. All our senses become aware as we listen to our surroundings and searched for red-footed boobies.
Soon afterwards we had beach time and for our younger explorers, a Zodiac driving lesson. We really enjoy teaching and seeing skills develop with tenacity and energy, to say the least.
Later we reposition to Kicker Rock, an impressive tuff formation standing massively out of the shoreline. We circumnavigate as the sun is setting, remembering this is the place where we just snorkeled, drifting in a powerful current with Galápagos sharks, rays, turtles, sea lions, and fish among friends. We are now together at the bow celebrating life. We have celebrated our last full day in the Galapagos.
We made it to the Galapagos and it was not easy. There is a deep appreciation of all who actually makes it to the islands. Statistics say that out the seven billion humans in this world only a few makes it here - Egypt gets 11 million visitors, Hawaii seven million, Yellowstone Park three million, Machu Picchu one million visitors and finally, the Galapagos Islands sees fewer than 163.000 per year. It’s just a fraction compared to other places, and even fewer children. That is why I say, today we were honored to be part of their unforgettable experience and hope one day they would have the will and power to make a positive change in this wonderful world of ours.
Our expedition is now over, life goes on, but we are now sure this place has changed many lives; a place which can never be fully described. We all came with different backgrounds, different ages and yet we are now one, sharing this magic which can only exist in our hearts and minds forever.
“We must not acknowledge the methodical saying ‘don’t humanize the animals’ but instead ‘animalize the human’ by perceiving our surrounding with all our senses; embracing nature by coexistence and respect for one another, so we can become one with nature as we once were.” - Celso Montalvo
