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BY Nancy Mueller 6 Comments ON April 8, 2013

G is for Getaway to the Galápagos Islands

BlueBooby(600 x 399) (450 x 299)

The fragile, moon-like landscape of the Galápagos Islands lures more than 100,000 visitors each year despite the archipelago’s remote location 600 miles off the west coast of mainland Ecuador. Ever since Darwin‘s famed visit aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835, travelers have been enchanted by its history, exotic vegetation and wildlife.

GiantGalapagosTortoise (450 x 299)

In order to protect the eco-system of this UNESCO World Heritage Site as much as possible, the Ecuadorian government restricts the number of cruises that can visit each island at any one time. But you don’t have to worry about missing out: each of the 13 major islands, from the oldest in the East (Española) to the most recent (Fernindina) in the west, offers unique flora and fauna diversity for an extraordinary experience.

MarineIguanaGalapagosIslands (450 x 282)

To plan your own escape to the Galápagos Islands, choose from among a variety of tour options, including 8-day small-ship cruises, shorter-stay lodge-based day trips, and combined land/islands packages. Visit Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism site or discovergalapagos.com for more information.

In case you missed the travelogue of my own 2011 journey to the Galápagos,  you can catch up on my stories here:

http://bit.ly/12CrGLs                 http://bit.ly/10Bvo84                   http://bit.ly/Z4pXhV                         http://bit.ly/XoJd9q

http://bit.ly/10BvTyT               http://bit.ly/XoJiK8                        http://bit.ly/Yc8o0H                        http://bit.ly/Zxc8vt 

http://bit.ly/10Bx0ia                http://bit.ly/16J79ae                     http://bit.ly/XzY4Ai

MVEvolutionGalapagosIslands (450 x 338)

What about you, wanderboomers? Have you visited the Galápagos Islands yet?

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands Tagged With: archipelago, cruises, Darwin, diversity, eco-system, Ecuador, Espanola, Fernindina, flora and fauna, HMS Beagle, landscape, small-ship cruises, the Galapagos Islands, UNESCO World Heritage Site, vegetation, wildlife

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON August 6, 2012

Make a Difference with Meaningful Trip

“It doesn’t take much to do good,” claims Joe Staiano, founder of Seattle-based Meaningful Trip. He should know.

At home, Staiano devotes his time to several non-profit organizations: ICO (Inner City Outings) through the Sierra Club, IRC (the International Rescue Committee) and Camp Erin, founded by All-Star major league baseball pitcher, Jaime Moyer and his wife Karen, for children grieving the death of someone close to them.

For 10 years Staiano coordinated overseas tours for REI Adventures to such dream destinations as Ecuador/the Galapagos Islands, Turkey and India.  He then spent the next 7 years working in community-based tourism and volunteering his expertise in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Moved to make a difference in the lives of the people he met beyond his own volunteer efforts, Staiano started Meaningful Trip with the goal of giving back to the local communities. Volunteer tourism is a worthy goal, he recognizes, and “the travel and tourism industry can do even more,” starting with his own company.

First, in addition to ensuring the travel expertise of his global partners, Staiano goes further by asking tough questions, such as: “How many women are on your staff?” What are your environmental values?” “What do you do to support your community?”

Second,  a portion of each client’s fees, typically 5 – 10%, is donated to women’s empowerment, health, education, and poverty alleviation. His company also supports hunger and anti-trafficking programs in the U.S.

The third leg of Meaningful Trip’s “Triple Give” giving mechanism extends to Staiano’s dream of “building a community that cares” when clients return from their travels. Through meaningful dinner parties and thought-provoking conversations, Staiano encourages people to explore actions that make a difference in their local communities.

“Travel with an open heart and open mind.  Meaningful travel and you can change the world,” says Staiano.

For more information on responsible travel and all of  Meaningful Trip’s itineraries, including a Founder’s trek in Nepal in November, click : http://www.MeaningfulTrip.com or contact: info@meaningfultrip.com.

*All photos: Copyright Joe Staiano

How are you making a difference in your travels or in your own communities, Wanderboomers? Share your experiences with us here.

Filed Under: Activities, Africa, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Make a Difference Tagged With: activism, Africa, All-Star, All-Star baseball pitcher, Bhutan, Camp Erin, communities, community, community-based tourism, Conversation, dinner parties, economy, Ecuador, environment, explore, giving back, ICO, India, IRC, Jamie Moyer, Joe Staiano, local economy, make a difference, Meaningful Trip, non-profits, REI Adventures, responsible travel, social justice, Southeast Asia, the Galapagos Islands, travel, travel and tourism, travels, trip, trips, volunteer travel, women, women's empowerment

BY Nancy Mueller 13 Comments ON September 13, 2011

An Evolutionary Walk on Española

MV Evolution in the Galapagos Islands

On Day 2 of our Galapagos adventure aboard our floating hotel, the MV Evolution, we lift anchor at 2:30AM for our three hour sail to Española, the oldest and southernmost of all the islands.

Here is home to the blue-footed booby,

the Nazca (formerly known as the masked, white) booby,

Christmas and marine iguanas, mockingbirds, and rafts of playful sea lions, babies in tow.

At 6:30AM I’m coaxed awake by the soothing singing voice of Jack Johnson (or sound alike) over the cabin speakers. Later in the week, his music will give way to  ”Hotel California,” Bob Marley, and the perennially popular, “Guantanamera.”

Following a hearty breakfast, we hop into the pangas for our ride to shore. Our naturalist briefing the night before has prepared us for a “dry landing” at Punta Suarez, knowing that “50% of our two and a half hour morning walk will be very rocky, 50% rocky.”

We wind our way among the fabulous flora and fauna along our path, stopping from time to time to enjoy our up close and personal encounters.

Our reward for making it over the rocky island terrain is a stellar view of  Española’s Blowhole with water blasts sky vaulting at least 60 feet.

All of this – and it’s only 10AM! Just another morning walk in the Galapagos . . .

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations Tagged With: blue-footed boobies, Christmas and marine iguanas, masked boobies, mockingbirds, Nazca Boobies, sea lions, the Galapagos Islands

BY Nancy Mueller 12 Comments ON September 11, 2011

Sounds of the Galapagos

“Nature touches the heart. We must be responsible.” – Naturalist guide, Alex Cox

In the end, it’s the sounds of the Galapagos that settle the deepest – the click-clack, rat-a-tat-tatting beaks of the waved albatross,

the high-pitched whistle of  blue-footed boobies,

Each engaged in their own elaborate courtship rituals . . .

The whoosh of a giant tortoise’s exhale as it lumbers forward,

sea lions barking . . . 

When they’re not sleeping . . .

The sounds of nature in the Galapogos . . .

What sounds do you carry with you from your travels, WanderBoomers?

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations Tagged With: blue-footed boobies, Giant tortoises of the Galapagos, sea lions, the Galapagos Islands, waved albatross

Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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