Rabina Island

The various finches observed by Darwin which served as the foundation of his theory on evolution came to mind on our first full day in the islands. Randy got pretty philosophical; the finches symbolize resilience and ingenuity, inspiring us as we embark on our own adventures, ready to embrace the challenges and rewards that lie ahead. The finches show an array of beak adaptations that illustrate the principles of natural selection. Each species has evolved distinct beak shapes and sizes based on the different food sources within the different Galápagos Island they inhabit. For instance, the large ground finch has a strong, thick beak ideal for cracking seeds, while the cactus finch, with its sharp and slender beak, expertly extracts nectar from flowers. On practice snorkel day, as we dove into the crystal-clear waters to check out the marine life surrounding the islands, the memory of these birds served as a reminder to be resilient. Unfortunately, Karen failed, and remained above the water for the duration of the trip. Mother Nature - 1, Karen - minus 1 for resiliency.

This day serves as our introduction to the underwater world, mostly the crew assessing our snorkeling abilities, or lack thereof. Each day we approached a different island; featuring a different animal, or slightly different habitat. The naturalists do a great job of explaining what to look for, and help spot the wildlife. It quickly becomes apparent we are in a crowd all “geeking out” about nature. Our fellow travelers were like minded individuals exploring the world, and appreciating the environment. Each day we explored the islands, cruising along the land's edge, sometimes venturing ashore, and sometimes (for Randy) delving beneath the surface through snorkeling.

Egas Port - Santiago Island

We sighted our first sea iguanas on Santiago Island. They give off a prehistoric vibe, definitely looking like a dinosaur in miniature. Their dark bodies among the dark rocks are in sharp contrast to the deep red of the crabs scuttling nearby. The sea lions (not to be confused with seals) were very playful in the rocks, and lava holes along this coastline, and kept us entertained for quite awhile.