Exploring the Galapagos Islands with Explorers Corner
The Galapagos Islands are located 500 miles West of Ecuador, close to the equator. The islands are volcanic. As newer
islands are formed, the older islands drift east. The islands are generally quite dry. What makes the islands a source of
incredible wildlife are the currents which combine in this area of the world. This rich sea water supplies viritually all the
sustenance for the wildlife in the area. The temperature is surprisingly mild with high temperatures in the low eighties the
maximum. Low temperatures are generally only three degrees lower than the high temperature. Despite the moderate climate,
we found it challenging at times due to the direct sunlight and the high humidity.
islands are formed, the older islands drift east. The islands are generally quite dry. What makes the islands a source of
incredible wildlife are the currents which combine in this area of the world. This rich sea water supplies viritually all the
sustenance for the wildlife in the area. The temperature is surprisingly mild with high temperatures in the low eighties the
maximum. Low temperatures are generally only three degrees lower than the high temperature. Despite the moderate climate,
we found it challenging at times due to the direct sunlight and the high humidity.
The Galapagos has many beautiful beaches. 97% of the islands are national park,
and there is no lodging in the national park. Visitors generally book a ship,
anywhere from eight to one hundred passengers. Trails are well marked and the
Ecuadorian guides firmly enforce staying on the trails. For the larger ships, the
groups are subdivided into landings of sixteen persons. 100,000 people a yeaar
visit the Galapagos
It was normal to see anywhere from no other ships to five other ships as in the
picture below. Arrival times were staggered to minimize crowding.
Our voyage with Explorers Corner was promoted as the only vessel in the
Galapagos to provide kayaking for all passengers. In addition there was hiking and
snorkeling.
The sixth ship on the far left was our catamaran. It carried eight passengers (seven
on our trip), an American leader, an Ecuadorian guide for all landings on the
island, and a crew of five people.
For some reason, when we landed in the Ponga, Jackie had problems getting out
and had two wet landings. Eventually she concluded it was the pack which caused
her to be awkward getting out.
and there is no lodging in the national park. Visitors generally book a ship,
anywhere from eight to one hundred passengers. Trails are well marked and the
Ecuadorian guides firmly enforce staying on the trails. For the larger ships, the
groups are subdivided into landings of sixteen persons. 100,000 people a yeaar
visit the Galapagos
It was normal to see anywhere from no other ships to five other ships as in the
picture below. Arrival times were staggered to minimize crowding.
Our voyage with Explorers Corner was promoted as the only vessel in the
Galapagos to provide kayaking for all passengers. In addition there was hiking and
snorkeling.
The sixth ship on the far left was our catamaran. It carried eight passengers (seven
on our trip), an American leader, an Ecuadorian guide for all landings on the
island, and a crew of five people.
For some reason, when we landed in the Ponga, Jackie had problems getting out
and had two wet landings. Eventually she concluded it was the pack which caused
her to be awkward getting out.
The first wildlife we saw in the
Galapagos were the famous
Galapagos turtles. Hundreds
of years ago tens of
thousand of these animals
roamed the islands. The first
Europeans quickly
discovered uses for the
turtles. The turtles would last
for up to a year on a ship
providing fresh meat for that
period. Today some of the
species no longer exist.
Approximately 40% of the
wildlife in the Galapagos
exists nowhere else in the
world.
Galapagos were the famous
Galapagos turtles. Hundreds
of years ago tens of
thousand of these animals
roamed the islands. The first
Europeans quickly
discovered uses for the
turtles. The turtles would last
for up to a year on a ship
providing fresh meat for that
period. Today some of the
species no longer exist.
Approximately 40% of the
wildlife in the Galapagos
exists nowhere else in the
world.
The next creatures to greet us on the trip were the crabs and marine Iguanas. This wildlife lines the rocky shores of the island.
The iguanas bask in the sun and then swim into the ocean to eat algae. If they stay in longer than 15 minutes, their body
temperatures will chill and they will die. Playful seals occasionally grab their tales. If the game lasts too long, it is fatal to the
iguanas.
The iguanas bask in the sun and then swim into the ocean to eat algae. If they stay in longer than 15 minutes, their body
temperatures will chill and they will die. Playful seals occasionally grab their tales. If the game lasts too long, it is fatal to the
iguanas.
Want to move to the Galapagos? Sorry! Not even Ecuadorians from the
main land are permitted to live in the Galapagos. All persons visiting the
Galapagos must pay a national park fee--$100 for seven days for
foreigners.
main land are permitted to live in the Galapagos. All persons visiting the
Galapagos must pay a national park fee--$100 for seven days for
foreigners.