the Galapagos Islands Archives

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:

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

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments

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.

BY Nancy Mueller 13 Comments

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.