Seems pretty crazy that I just returned from Ecuador after spending a week onboard Silver Origin in the Galapagos Islands. This is not my first trip here BUT it is my first trip back here in ALOT of years; I began my career ‘on land’ after 18 years on cruise ships working for an Ecuadorian company called Quasar Nautica ; they operated 6 vessels in the archipelago, lots of charters and I worked for their office in Miami spreading the word of our small ships and destination to tour operators and travel agents far and wide. Now this is WAY before internet; in fact it was here that I was working in September 2001
This time I went back as a passenger onboard Silver Origin
It was an amazing journey. Like Antarctica – this place changes you. For the good.
When I was kicking around these parts there was no big ‘brand names’ however it know that any US operator IS partnered with someone in Ecuador for the actual operation – everyone on the ship is from Ecuador. It is a seriously fascinating place for many reasons the least of which are political, geographic, geological, environmental, historical & their sheer magic. That man tried to settle here fascinates me; I admit a serious fascination for the island of Floreana recommend you learn about Frederich & his mistress Dora ‘The Galapagos Affair‘ a seriously good read – and movie
Essentially there are no ‘losers’ when it comes to a Galapagos itinerary and it is important to realize you can’t see everything. There are 71 visitor sites (and 80 something boats that the National Park does an excellent job of managing – and assigning stops for boats (since that is the only way to get around). You can’t just go from place to place as you wish; there are strict park rules in place and you must always have a naturalist guide with you. There are eastern itins; western itins; 7 day and 14 day. There are even opportunities to stay ‘on land’ with days trips to various visitors sites.
It is a complicated place with a fascinating history and an eco system that exists no where else in the world. Traveling here makes you feel so small…..yet somehow so connected to everything in the universe.
If you have been. You know. 🙂 There is a magic here that cannot be described until you have experienced – and embraced what this archipelago has to offer. Two weeks, ten days, 7 days. No loser in the bunch – but Silver Origin? Fantastic on EVERY level.
My beloved Galapagos Islands straddle the equator in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Can’t quite explain why I am fascinated by the place (I assure you it has nothing to do with Russell Crow ‘Master & Commander’) it is just that in terms of both human and geological history – they are super fascinating. And I am kind of a nerd that way; blame it on my oceanographer husband
Volcanic activity made this place a reality; from west to east = new to old. Basically you are looking at the tops of volcanos in the middle of the ocean – there is something different about EVERY island in this archipelago
In the 16th century Spanish explorers & pirates started stopped by here; not a lot of fresh water but there were a lot of tortoises and those suckers could last MONTHS onboard ships without food or water. And apparently, they were not only high in protein; they tasted very good
The Beagle and Charles Darwin showed up in 1835; his theory of the development of evolution by natural selection was born here; the ship was Captained by Robert FitzRoy who was an amazing cartographer. I was told his charts were used during the 1970’s when tourism came to the islands
By the late 19th century the islands saw colonization including a group of Norwegians, a crazy doctor and his mistress and of course the Baroness. Do look for the movie or book ‘The Galapagos Affair’. If you ae a history buff….look up the history of the airport on Baltra Island. It is this that kinda made it all possible with the air strip
It was 1832 when Ecuador declared sovereignty over the archipelago and in 1959 the archipelago became a national park. And so it goes. Tourism eventually found it’s way here.
The islands are a living laboratory, a UNESCO world heritage site and without a doubt one of THE most amazing experiences in life. Put it on your ‘to do’ list. And if you can make it Silversea; so much the better.
