Today was our last day in paradise, on an adventure which seems almost unreal. Even though we come from different places, today we have bonded together as one, as the Galapagos brings magic to our souls and mind. Traveling and reaching our destination from Fernandina to San Cristobal islands, from the youngest and one of the oldest in the archipelago, on an expedition, a journey of discovery through time.
San Cristobal Island is one of the oldest in the Galapagos. Today we opted for a fun Zodiac ride searching for red-footed boobies, and soon after, we landed on a green olivine beach for a 1.5 mile walk. The volcanic scenery that we observed during our hike was spectacular; the peaks of tuff high in the sky make this site very different from what we have already witnessed. Back on the beach, we had fun swimming and playing with a small colony of sea lions, our ever-present friends. Today some of us took pictures as a farewell to this wonderful week. Later we repositioned our ship to our last destination, Cerro Brujo, for a walk at beautiful white sandy beach.
We made it to the Galapagos and it was not easy. There is a deep appreciation for those who make it to the islands; statistics state that our of 7 billion humans in this world, only a few make it to the Galapagos. For perspective, Hawaii receives 12 million visitors each year, Yellowstone Park receives 3 million, Machu Picchu receives 1 million visitors and finally, Galapagos Islands, with only 204,000 per year, a fraction compared to other places. Today we were honored to be part of their unforgettable experience, and we hope one day they would have the will and power to make a positive change in this wonderful world of ours.
Our expedition is now over. Life goes on, but we are now sure this place has changed many lives—a place which can never be fully described. We all came with different backgrounds, sharing this magic which can only exist in our hearts and minds forever.
Farewell amigos.
