Pacific Animal Kingdom: Galapagos Islands
By: Joe Volz Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2004-03-03 15:52:00-05:00
by Joe Volz
The isolated Galapagos archipelago of 50 volcanic islands, hundreds of miles off the Ecuadorian coast, have become a haven for unique plant life and animal life, as well as a geological treasure.
It is a marvelous ecotourism site, although it costs in the thousands to get there. The islands, spread out over 19,000 square miles, themselves are not more than two million years old. Don't expect a lush tropical paradise. The landscape on many of the islands is barren but the marine life of penguins, giant tortoises, albatrosses, sea lions and iguanas are the big attraction.
They are probably best known for those tortoises, large enough to carry a man, and as the place where noted 19th century evolutionist, Charles Darwin, visited on his ship, the Beagle. He declared, "Here both in space and time we seem to be brought near to the first appearance of new beings on this earth."
A National Park
Galapagos National Park was created in 1959. Strict limits confine visitors, who must be accompanied by a certified tour guide, to certain areas.
Visiting the Islands
You can climb up to the top of a dormant volcano on Bartolome Island or snorkel with the fish. Penguins could very well be your neighbors and the giant tortoises also reside on the island.
Santa Cruz Island
This island has a private farm where tortoises live.
Genovesa Island
This one has more plant life than some others, a forest of mangroves for example, where great frigate birds nest. You can ride a dingy along the shore line and watch a variety of birds from gulls to owls.
Santiago Island
Here is the home of starfish, octopus and great blue herons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Inti Travel and Tours of Banff, Canada, which specializes in tours of the islands, has provided the answers to these key questions.
Q. What is the climate like?
A. The islands, 500 miles west of Ecuador—actually a province of Ecuador—are on the equator, so the climate is warm most of the year with the hottest time from January to April when temperatures hit a high in the 80s. In the cool season, April to December, temperatures dip as low as 68.
Q. When is the best time to travel to the islands?
A. Any time is good. During the hot season, though, it frequently rains in the afternoon. The advantage is that the islands are much greener and the land birds are most active. The ocean temperature is warmer for swimming. During the cool season, the land birds and sea mammals are most active.
Q. How about the costs?
A. This is not a budget trip. Because of transportation costs, you will be spending well into the thousands of dollars for the trip.
Q. How do we get there?
A. There are daily flights via Miami and Houston to Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Q. Then what?
A. Flights to the island depart daily from both Quito and Guayquil. You could also take a boat from Guayquil but it will cost about as much. The main town on the Galapagos is Puerto Ayora (population 10,000) on the island of Santa Cruz. The Isla Baltra airport is two hours away from the center of town.
Many people do take boat trips, and live on the boats, when they arrive in the islands, including sailing yachts or motor yachts.
History
Legend has it that the Inca Indians from South America set sail from Ecuador in balsa rafts in the late 1400s and discovered the Galapagos. Whether that tale is accurate or not, what is known is that in 1535, a Spaniard, Thomas de Berlanga, bishop of Panama, did find the islands. He observed, "Seals, turtles and big tortoises."
The land looked as if God had showered it with stones, said the bishop.
Pirates later arrived and dined on the tortoise meat but there were not enough of the brigands to permanently endanger the wildlife. It wasn't until whaling fleets arrived at the end of the 19th century and Galapagos became a regular port of call, that the wildlife was threatened.
Related Resources
Discover Galapagos - A Travel Guide to Tours, Boats, Cruises and Yacht Charters in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Books
Find these books online at Barnes & Noble.com.
The Enchanted Isles
Herman Melville, Hesperus Press, April 2003
Identification Guide to the Birds, Mammals and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands
Andy Swash, Robert Still, Ian Lewington, Yale University Press, March 2001
Galapagos Islands: The Essential Handbook for Exploring, Enjoying and Understanding Darwin's Enchanted Island
Marylee Stephenson, The Mountaineers Books, December 2000
Galapagos Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide
David Horwell, Pete Oxford, Globe Pequot Press
preview