Galapagos Islands

Charles Darwin was so inspired by his visit to the Galapagos Islands that he wrote the Theory of Evolution by natural selection which transformed the thinking in the world at that time. When Darwin visited the islands in 1562 he found islands where all the wildlife-birds, mammals, amphibians, fish and humans lived in harmony with each other. Each had no fear of the other, and held each other in mutual respect. Nowhere else in the world does this delicate balance exist, even today. It is possible that the Galapagos Islands will transform your thinking too.

Visiting the islands today is an act of preservation. Each person or group that visits the islands has to have their own guide, not only to show them the stunning wildlife, but also to preserve the delicate balance between the different species and to attempt to control man’s inert desire to destroy what is beautiful and good. The Galapagos Islands consist of 15 major and 3 minor islands in the Pacific Ocean approximately 972 kilometres west of the coast of Ecuador. 

   

               Image from www.bugbog.com

Even in the sea, the harmony between the wildlife is preserved. Armies of manta rays and other fish swarm around humans as though they are greeting long lost friends. If you go to swim in the sea, do not be surprised if sea lions join you for a friendly game in the water. Also be careful on the beaches not to lie in a place reserved for a sea lion. The only exception I made when visiting the islands was for sharks, I decided that I would not hang around to find out if they were friendly or not.

   

The only real way to see the islands is to go on a cruise. A cruise boat will take you to the main islands and the most interesting parts. But going on a cruise also gives you the opportunity to taste the best seafood you will taste in your life. At night, the sailors on your boat will dive into the sea with torches for lobster and prawn. Freshly plucked from the ocean floor, and freshly roasted, it is a real delight. If you ask your sailors nicely, they may even permit you to accompany them to the Ocean floor to collect the lobster. During the day, lines spread out behind the boat will attract giant tuna, again when freshly cooked, a real delicacy.

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North Seymour Island is a real treat for bird lovers and is home to one of the largest populations of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies will look at you strangely as you walk past them, and will carry out a number of strange activities, just like humans, as part of their mating rituals. These include giving each other gifts, whistling and honking, spreading their necks to the sky and dancing to show off their bright blue feet.

                               Image from www.mindfultourist.com

Meanwhile the frigate birds will appear in low bushes and trees. Male frigates puff up their bright scarlet throat sacks to resemble a giant red balloon while trying to attract the females.

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There is a very interesting interaction between the Boobies and the frigates. The Boobies go fishing in flocks and are excellent hunters, the frigates in contrast, are pirates who dive bomb the friendly boobies, who are forced to drop their prey, which the acrobatic frigates swoop to catch before it hits the water.  

There is a mix of wildlife, unique and harmonious, which does not exist any where else in the world. This is a very special place, to observe and to learn about peace and harmony and about how all species can live in harmony together. It is a place that all those who would like to cause trouble and war in the world should visit. It could transform their way of thinking. And if you are thinking of going to the Galapagos Islands, you will need to make a natural selection-when is it exactly that you are thinking of going?