Floreana Island
It is the soft breeze, it is the lush green glow that comes from the island, it is the enthusiasm of our guests, and the privilege of having my good friends close by (who also happen to be my colleagues). It is the new ship in the background, new for this area, the good National Geographic Endeavour. It is my heart; lightening in the freshness of novelty and beauty. It is the colors of the underwater realm around Champion Islet as well as the hue of flamingoes in Punta Cormorant’s brackish lagoon. This is Floreana, this is a day in the Galápagos Islands on board MV National Geographic Endeavour, an expedition ship where every day we marvel at new sightings.
This is a never-ending learning experience, and we don’t live it as if we were spectators of the natural world, but as being part of it. In the Galápagos, human beings understand that we are indeed included within the whole picture: creatures of this planet and for this planet. How couldn’t we feel this way when, in the water, sea lions play with us as if we were in their clan, while blue-footed boobies plunge dive trying to capture the thousands of sardines that swim together with various species of fish? A baby turtle tries to get to the water, and we are there again, to watch how it emerges from the sand dunes and runs to the sea. It is too early in the day, and there are frigate birds still aware and around. But the hatchling manages to reach the protection of the ocean and while it swims away, it strengthens our hopes for a better planet, a safe planet for all creatures, from the land and from the sea. I loved my day at Floreana!
It is the soft breeze, it is the lush green glow that comes from the island, it is the enthusiasm of our guests, and the privilege of having my good friends close by (who also happen to be my colleagues). It is the new ship in the background, new for this area, the good National Geographic Endeavour. It is my heart; lightening in the freshness of novelty and beauty. It is the colors of the underwater realm around Champion Islet as well as the hue of flamingoes in Punta Cormorant’s brackish lagoon. This is Floreana, this is a day in the Galápagos Islands on board MV National Geographic Endeavour, an expedition ship where every day we marvel at new sightings.
This is a never-ending learning experience, and we don’t live it as if we were spectators of the natural world, but as being part of it. In the Galápagos, human beings understand that we are indeed included within the whole picture: creatures of this planet and for this planet. How couldn’t we feel this way when, in the water, sea lions play with us as if we were in their clan, while blue-footed boobies plunge dive trying to capture the thousands of sardines that swim together with various species of fish? A baby turtle tries to get to the water, and we are there again, to watch how it emerges from the sand dunes and runs to the sea. It is too early in the day, and there are frigate birds still aware and around. But the hatchling manages to reach the protection of the ocean and while it swims away, it strengthens our hopes for a better planet, a safe planet for all creatures, from the land and from the sea. I loved my day at Floreana!
