Galápagos Islands – Nature at its Best

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Galápagos Islands – Nature at its Best

Christine Boecker • February 10, 2016

It was a moment I never would have believed I would experience in my lifetime.

- Article and photos by Kelly Mossman

I was on one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen, lying a couple of feet away from a baby sea lion. Staring into the eyes of this magnificent creature I thought to myself, life doesn’t get any better than this!

Little did I know when I started this adventure, a seven-night cruise aboard a small vessel with only 15 other passengers through the Galápagos Islands, that it would have such a profound effect on me.

It began the moment we boarded our yacht, with sea lions climbing into and basking in a nearby vacant dingy, pelicans landing on our boat and frigates gliding over us as we began our journey.

Every day was a new experience. Each island different from the last. Each day we explored the islands, watching the waves crash against the volcanic rock or quietly wash upon the shore and admired the flora, fauna and wildlife of the islands.

We were totally amazed at how tame the creatures of the wild were. I remember sitting on a rock one day watching a male and female albatross engaged in a mating ritual (loud smacking of beaks) when a mockingbird flew onto a rock beside me. It sat there for several minutes just curiously watching me. Other times walking along the paths, we had to be ever so careful not to step on iguanas, baby seals or resting blue footed boobies. I was amazed at their indifference to our presence. Life just continued on. It was surreal.

Every day we swam or snorkeled in picture perfect clear turquoise water, and on a few occasions were joined by sea lions. They were quite curious and loved to play, finding us unique and, for the most part, willing playmates.

On many occasions we were able to experience nature taking its course. On one such occasion we came upon a mother sea lion nuzzling her newborn, while just a couple of feet away a hawk was eating the placenta. We quietly witnessed this whilst nearby, a baby pelican, having just taken a fish from her mother’s beak, struggled to turn it around just right so as to swallow it.

Day in and day out there were experiences that will be etched in my memory forever. I truly would recommend this adventure to those who have a love and appreciation for nature. The Galápagos is a place not to be missed.

Our How-To Guide will help you choose the best travel time and select the islands that appeal to your interests.

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