Before dinner last night the Captain moved the ship to a bay called Black Turtle Cove, on Baltha Island. And so this morning there was an opportunity for one more early panga ride to power through the mangroves looking for turtles and white tipped sharks. Only half the passengers participated, and I wasn’t one of them. I figured after snorkeling with them for the past week, just looking at them from the panga was going to be a downer. So I figured sleep was more important. We were up at the usual time, fed a fabulous breakfast, as usual and then it was off on our last panga ride to Beltra Island and the second of the two airports in the Galapagos.
Our luggage was waiting for us at the airport and we did some last minute shopping in the airport while we waited for our flight back to Quito and an overnight at the Hilton before the flight home tomorrow. This small but modern airport has a LEED designation and is touted to being the First Ecological Airport in the world.
It hardly seems possible that it’s only been a week since I was at this hotel meeting with my new fellow passengers. It’s been quite the adventure. More than I could have ever anticipated. I was pushed outside my comfort zone physically, and I’m proud of my accomplishments. Being part of the Rambo snorkelers is an accomplishment at 62.
Every day was different because of the biodiversity of the islands. Every activity brought a broader understanding of the principles that Darwin articulated after visiting this place. Sixteen breeds of finches have evolved from just one species. Giant turtles have adapted differently on each island, and even within the same island where barriers to their movement created different species based on adaptations. Marine iguanas, adapted to a lack of food by becoming ocean-going in search of food. The lessons learned can best be summed up by the saying on the back of my Darwin T-shirt.
I hope I continue to change, to adapt, to grow, to learn, to love and to feel joy. Travel is the best way I know to ensure that happens. If I have inspired you to start thinking about an adventure of your own, I am so happy.
“Where next?”, you ask. Well, I’m not sure. Nanci and I will be travelling to Israel and Jordan in the fall of 2019, but who knows where else I’ll be in the meantime. I do know that I’ll be in Ottawa this coming November because as important as travel is, family is even more so.
So until my next adventure, I hope you’ve enjoyed travelling with me on what has possibly been the best trip ever. But then I say that every time don’t I?
Lois' Adventures 