Travelling the Galapagos Islands
Charles Darwin is a hero of mine. Ever since I read about his expedition to the Galapagos Islands I have wanted to explore them for myself. I want to see the great creatures that inspired On the Origin of Species. I want to see the species that inspired the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.
The Galapagos Islands are a chain of small volcanic isles in the eastern Pacific Ocean 973km (605 miles) off the coast of Ecuador in South America. The islands rank among the world’s most distinctive and abundant wildlife destinations. There’s over 9,000 species living here and in the surrounding waters. Just three per cent of the land is inhabited. A massive 97 per cent is protected as a national park, including 27,000 square miles of marine reserves.
The Galapagos Islands, to me, are magical, mythical and mysterious and I don’t personally know anyone who has been. Travelling around the Galapagos Islands would be my dream adventure and what follows would be my ideal itinerary.
Galapagos Islands travel – my dream itinerary
Firstly, I am going to splash out on some fancy new luggage. Something like this 4-Wheel Falabella Travel Suitcase and matching bag by Stella McCartney.
Then I am going to book a Rolls-Royce to bring me to the airport.
I will settle down into my roomy and comfortable first-class seat on-board a flight to JFK airport. I know I could rent a private plane but to be honest I really love the whole airport experience and flying commercial, plus, I’d want everybody to see me in my first-class seat! It has always been my dream to fly first class but I am yet to do it.
From JFK, I’ll take a helicopter ride into Manhattan then a Maybach to The Mark Hotel where I will stay in the Penthouse Suite for a few nights.
Back to JFK, I’ll charter a private jet to fly me to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands and then I’ll transfer to Santa Cruz Island and spend a few nights in the Pikaia Lodge eco-resort.
Diving the Galapagos Islands
From here, I will join a luxury diving live-aboard yacht and spend at least 14 days at sea diving, snorkelling, kayaking and sailing around the Galapagos archipelago. I will swim with, sea lions, sea snakes, and 21 different species of shark. I’ll look out for Darwin’s finches, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants and the waved albatross. I’ll try to spot the colourful Sally lightfoot crabs and the Galápagos land iguana, marine iguana and Galápagos giant tortoise. Did you know that these nine animals are endemic species of the Galapagos Islands?
Another thrill for divers, is that at least 58 species of elasmobranch have been recorded in Galapagos waters, including 33 species of shark, 19 species of ray, four skates and two chimeras. In fact, hammerhead sharks are your constant dive buddies! How magical is that?
After two weeks at sea, I’ll head back to Santa Cruz Island and spend a few days relaxing in the Finch Bay Hotel. I’ll then fly back to New York on another private jet. This time, I’d spend a few nights in the Plaza Hotel, hopefully in the same room that Robert Redford and Jane Fonda stayed in from my all-time favourite New York movie, Barefoot in the Park.
I’d then take another Rolls-Royce followed by a helicopter ride back to JFK to fly first class back to Dublin. Oh who am I kidding? I wouldn’t fly home if I won the lottery. I’d just book another plane ticket and head off on another adventure.