The world’s most treasured islands – the land – sea – sky – an overview

One of the first instructional sessions we had with Juan had to do with the ocean currents. At the time, I started to glaze over a little wondering what this had to do with my experience. I was soon to be dramatically aware that the currents, and thus water temperature were very important. Particularly, as a non-swimmer, snorkeling in 60-70 degree water.

When you think of Galapagos, one of the most important insights into life on Earth : Darwin’s theory of evolution come to mind. Interestingly, the Beagle, Darwin’s boat was only in the area of 29 days. The old islands emerged as jet-black cliffs rising from a sparkling sea of blue. As the island aged and soil was added, more flora, insects, and plant life developed.

There are about 100,000 tourists annually with people being the new species. In the pic to the left, you see the feet and shadow of only three visitors standing on lava rock.

My research indicates that the first people arrived in the 1800’s with the majority coming in 1920 and then post war 1940. At this time, there are some controls on permanent residents but the number has risen to just under 30,000.

On land, sea, and water, there are almost 9000 other species.... the only penguin in the northern hemisphere, the only ocean-going lizard, plants that reproduce without pollination. Species occur in huge concentrations: Hundreds of marine iguanas and up to a million birds can be seen at once.
An oceanic archipelago of 13 large islands and more than 100 smaller ones holds the secrets of evolutionary processes. With an array of terrains created by different elevations and wind patterns, the Galapagos encompasses deserts with forests of cacti, subtropical forests harboring giant tortoises, lush cloud forests with towering scalesia trees, and wetlands cloaked in ferns and grasses and mangroves. You can see our Samba boat sitting off shore.

The climate in the Galapagos Islands is different than one might imagine from islands located on the equator. The climate is dominated by the prevailing current; which creates strong, unpredictable tides between islands, cooler than normal temperatures, and ultimately results in the unique ecology of the islands.

The main ocean currents effecting the Galapagos Islands are the cold Counter Equatorial (Cromwell) Current from the west, the cold Humboldt (Peruvian Oceanic and Peruvian Coastal) Current (which brought the penguins and fur seals and which causes the choppy water in the Fall) and the from the southeast, the South Equatorial Current from the east, and the warm North Equatorial (Panama) Counter Current from the northeast which brings with it the devastating and infrequent El Niño (named for the Christ child since the effect first occurred at Christmas) Current. ( This is the prominent current in November and this water has less nutrients and thus is better for underwater visibility)The mix of these currents and the location of the island in relation to the mix cause a wide variation of water temperatures from island to island.

The mirror image of the lava hill reminded me of the pyramid

Is this thousands of miles away or the cost of Maine... If you could see closer, you would see several rare birds, crabs, and foliage that would defiantly say.... not Maine

This might be a parking lot in Iowa or the sheets of ancient earth surface.

There is also some grass.. but no, that is not a crane lost in the reeds..but a stick posing as a bird.

Or maybe this is the Florida Everglades with the red mangrove.... you will see later that the waters are full of life that is not found in FL.

Each day brought a new view and more wonder at the variety of land found on the Islands.

This one of my favorite pictures since you can see the rocky land, mountains, and sky in the air bubble on the left of the pic.