Commentary on a Trip to the Galapagos

My wife and I just returned from spending a week cruising the Galapagos Islands with 3 friends. Though it was one of the greatest adventures I have ever experienced, it almost never happened when my passport was rejected at the Indianapolis Airport.

Though it was valid, it expired 11 days short of the 6-month requirement to travel. Though I never heard of this mandate, it forced Monica and I to rent a car and travel to Chicago in hopes of getting a new passport.

With the help of our wonderful local Congressman, we thankfully succeeded and found new flights that got us to the Galapagos in time to board the ship. A nightmare became a glorious dream.

Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos consist of 13 major islands and 6 smaller ones. Located close to the equator, Darwin’s visit in 1845 has forever linked his name and ideas to the Iguanas, sea lions, albatrosses, and blue-footed boobies that call these Islands home.

While the Amazon is home to our 300 species of reptiles, the Galapagos has only iguanas, tortoises, lava lizards, geckos, and snakes. No place on Earth is as free of introduced and invasive species because it was so isolated for so long, Galapagos wildlife never developed a fear of humans. You can stand right next to giant turtles and have sea lions swim under and over you while you snorkel. Hundreds of large iguanas rest on volcanic rocks that you can nearly touch as you swim nearby.

The days ended with ½ hour entertaining lectures on the ship before breaking for dinner. You then prepare to visit a new island the next day. You go to bed feeling that you have become a part of the evolutionary process.