North Seymour
Like a sunset or sunrise, moments of beauty, flashes of clarity are found in transition. Today we had it all. As we stepped onto the plane this morning we had no idea that we were truly stepping into a time machine. Guayaquil to Galapagos, Mainland to “Strange”land.
The plane’s cabin door closed behind us and the flight attendants sprayed down our bags in the overhead compartment with a “disinfectant” to eradicate any creepy-crawlies or seeds we might have brought from our time and place. It is a ritual as pragmatic as it is spiritual. In this simple act of using disinfectant it is clear to see that Galápagos is a place that we must not change, although it will change us.
After the ceremonious cleansing of our plane, our oversized Delorion with wings speeds down the runway reaching a velocity well over 88 miles per hour. The flux capacitor activates and we are launched into the air, to the past, and back to a possible future.
Less than an hour and a half later, through the clouds we can see where countless volcanoes once emptied themselves into the sea. Anchored just off these seemingly desolate shores waiting for us is the National Geographic Islander, our pod bubble of “modernity”. Before our friendly crew welcomes us we are first met by basking sea lions at the dock un-confounded by our presence as if nothing has changed since 10,000 B.C.
Our first close look at these islands is on North Seymour. As we approach its rocky lava shores we wonder how can anything live here, amongst the boulders and meager vegetation. But it’s teaming with life, thriving. Land and Marine iguanas along with sea lions criss-cross the paths. Frigates and blue footed boobies fill the skies as well as the nooks and crannies between the rocks and atop the bushes with their flamboyant mating displays. Their cacophony strikes a chord deep within, releasing a pure, raw amazement and joy.
Our exhales of natural laughter and questions are followed by an inhale of a barrage of the fresh air and information from our naturalist guides. Blue feet and red inflated gular pouches stand out in stark contrast to the desert showing the colors of vibrant life. Life that once was and that can live on into our time if we treat it with a little tender loving care.
In less than a day we have fallen in love with these enchanted Islands. We have made our transition and it was a beautiful thing.
Like a sunset or sunrise, moments of beauty, flashes of clarity are found in transition. Today we had it all. As we stepped onto the plane this morning we had no idea that we were truly stepping into a time machine. Guayaquil to Galapagos, Mainland to “Strange”land.
The plane’s cabin door closed behind us and the flight attendants sprayed down our bags in the overhead compartment with a “disinfectant” to eradicate any creepy-crawlies or seeds we might have brought from our time and place. It is a ritual as pragmatic as it is spiritual. In this simple act of using disinfectant it is clear to see that Galápagos is a place that we must not change, although it will change us.
After the ceremonious cleansing of our plane, our oversized Delorion with wings speeds down the runway reaching a velocity well over 88 miles per hour. The flux capacitor activates and we are launched into the air, to the past, and back to a possible future.
Less than an hour and a half later, through the clouds we can see where countless volcanoes once emptied themselves into the sea. Anchored just off these seemingly desolate shores waiting for us is the National Geographic Islander, our pod bubble of “modernity”. Before our friendly crew welcomes us we are first met by basking sea lions at the dock un-confounded by our presence as if nothing has changed since 10,000 B.C.
Our first close look at these islands is on North Seymour. As we approach its rocky lava shores we wonder how can anything live here, amongst the boulders and meager vegetation. But it’s teaming with life, thriving. Land and Marine iguanas along with sea lions criss-cross the paths. Frigates and blue footed boobies fill the skies as well as the nooks and crannies between the rocks and atop the bushes with their flamboyant mating displays. Their cacophony strikes a chord deep within, releasing a pure, raw amazement and joy.
Our exhales of natural laughter and questions are followed by an inhale of a barrage of the fresh air and information from our naturalist guides. Blue feet and red inflated gular pouches stand out in stark contrast to the desert showing the colors of vibrant life. Life that once was and that can live on into our time if we treat it with a little tender loving care.
In less than a day we have fallen in love with these enchanted Islands. We have made our transition and it was a beautiful thing.
