My travels this year have circled around a central theme, and that theme has been swirling in my head constantly as I navigate life at home. Still, I haven’t cracked the code, the deeper meaning of this clear trend and these simple words: going back. I went back to New Orleans in February, spending a … More Going Back
April 21, 2023 I’m back in Quito and getting ready to start the long journey home, with a giant beer and loud music booming on the hostel roof. The last 48 hours have been a juicy cultural experience, though I know it has been somewhat dampened by the enormity of the Galapagos and how my … More Quito Part 2
April 19, 2023 The last full day in the Galapagos was of course one of the most memorable, as they all will be. We started after breakfast walking to Santa Cruz’s interpretation and research center, home to the island’s giant tortoise breeding center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. The walk there once again started … More Galapagos Part 7
April 17, 2023 Another excellent day in the Galapagos! After breakfast we loaded our bags, went through inspection, and the team loaded up our boat while we went to the beach for kayaking. I sat in the front of a double with Steve, who was paddling very aggressively, riding waves and getting ahead of the … More Galapagos Part 6
April 16, 2023 Volcano hike day was a day to remember, for sure. We completed about 10 miles, in 6 hours. The elevation gain wasn’t too bad, and half of it was pretty smooth while the other half was rocky. The real issue was the rain! After a leisurely climb up a gravel path where … More Galapagos Part 5
April 15, 2023 The night ended in one of those spontaneous travel adventures that you never expect but always remember. Back from another excellent day of adventuring, it started to rain as we got ready to leave for the beachfront bar for happy hour and sunset. Instead of passing as it usually does, it started … More Galapagos Part 4
April 14, 2023 This tour is great because you do so much in a day; I feel so acclimated to the Galapagos already. Talking after dinner tonight, some of us joked how ridiculous it was to feel underwhelmed by a day where we snorkeled with a giant sea turtle and visited a tiny island with … More Galapagos Part 3
April 13, 2023 What an amazing day! The sun woke me up through the thin curtains around 6, and I snoozed a lot to make it to breakfast at 7:30 in the courtyard. Humidity and heat were already in full force. Breakfast was good, a plantain patty thing and egg and fruit. Paulina met us … More Galapagos Part 2
April 12, 2023 What a day. Such a huge change and culture shock from my time in Quito. But here I am, on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos! Being here feels like a dream. And I’m getting that happy sort of fulfilled feeling that I chase when traveling, just on day 1. After a … More Galapagos Part 1
