Today is our last day in paradise, on this adventure which seems fantastical. We all bonded as one, even though we come from different places, as the Galapagos brings magic to our souls and mind. This expedition of discovery has been like journey through time, as we travelled from Fernandina, the youngest island, to San Cristobal, which is one of the oldest.
Our day in San Cristobal Island began with a fun Zodiac-ride, searching for red-footed boobies, and soon after we landed on a green olivine beach for a 1.5 mile walk. The volcanic scenery that we observed during our intense hike was spectacular; the peaks of tuff high in the sky make this site very different from what we have already witnessed. Back to the beach, we enjoy swimming and playing with a small colony of sea lion—our ever-present friends. Some of us took pictures on the beach, as a farewell to this wonderful week.
Later we repositioned to Kicker Rock, an impressive tuff formation standing massive out of the shoreline, and during our navigation we spotted dolphins, and then we also spotted a whale! What an impressive place. Once we reached our site, we deployed our Zodiacs for our last activity which was snorkeling. We encountered turtles, rays, sharks, and a variety of fish.
We are now together at the bow celebrating life as we circumnavigate Kicker Rock during sunset; today is our last full day in the islands. We are now contemplating our slideshow with our own impressive pictures. We made it to the Galapagos and it was not easy. There is a deep appreciation for those who make it to the islands. Statistics say that out the 7 billion humans in this world, 12 million visit Hawaii each year; 3 million visit Yellowstone Park; Machu Picchu sees 1 million visitors; and in contrast, the Galapagos Islands only see about 204,000 per year, a fraction compared to other places. This is why I say that today we were honored to be part of their unforgettable experience, and we hope that 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, sharing this magic which can only exist in our hearts and minds forever.
Farewell amigos.
