San Cristobal Island
Today is our last day in paradise, and our adventure seems unreal. We all bonded even though we are from different generations and even centuries, today we are one. The Galapagos brings magic to our souls and mind as we are traveling to Fernandina and San Cristobal islands, 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 on February 1st we landed on a green olivine beach on a rainy day. We had an impressive event as water came our way from what it used to be a dry riverbed and now mother nature was reminding us how this wonderful place was carved. The volcanic scenery that we observe during our intense hike was spectacular, cascades and their sounds, half dry picks and rainwaters everywhere; the peaks of tuff high in the sky make this site very different from what we have already observed.
Punta Pitt also has impressive scenery. All of our senses become aware as we listen to our surroundings as we searched for red footed boobies.
Later, it was beach time and for our younger explorers, a Zodiac driving lesson. We really enjoy teaching and seeing skills developing with tenacity and energy, to say the least.
Later we repositioned to Kicker Rock, an impressive tuff formation standing massive out of the shoreline. We circumnavigate as the sun is setting, remembering this is the place where we just snorkeled drifting with a mild current with many, many Galápagos sharks, rays, turtles, sea lions, fish and friends.
We are now together at the bow celebrating life. We have celebrated our last full day in the Galapagos.
We made it to the Galapagos and it was not easy. There is a deep appreciation to all who actually makes it to the islands; statistics say that out the 7 billion humans in this world only a few make it here. Egypt used to have 11 million visitors, Hawaii had 7 million, Yellowstone Park had 3 million, Machu Picchu had 1 million and finally, Galapagos Islands had 163,000 per year, a fraction compared to other places, and even fewer children. That is why I say, today we were honored to be part of their unforgettable experience and hope one day they would have the will and power to make a positive change in this wonderful world of ours.
“We must not acknowledge the methodical saying ‘don’t humanize the animals’ but instead ‘animalize the human’ by perceiving our surrounding with all our senses; embracing nature by coexistence and respect for one another, so we can become one with nature as we once were.”
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, different ages and yet we are now one, sharing this magic which can only exist in our hearts and minds forever.
