So here I am... for some reason every time I board a plane I feel a burst of melancholy. I think of my life, my past, my future. It's like connecting with my inner self... strange... hard to explain. I have been travelling intensely around the world for the last five years and can't even remember how many trips I have taken during this time: 40, 50? I no longer know... what I do know is that I always remember and comment, with those close to me, about my experiences during the trips.
Today I will tell you about my last trip, where I am right now, in the lost world of the Galápagos. It's hard to find the precise word or the perfect expression to describe it; a lost archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. Volcanic islands, endemic vegetation, small towns with local people, but above all animals, many animals... You could say this is a sort of paradise for lovers of exotic animals. The most diverse marine fauna (sea lions, large sea turtles, manta rays, so many fish it is hard to remember their names, sharks and penguins, among many other species) share their territory with thousands of birds and iguanas, which make it one of my favourite destinations to explore natural areas.
I feel so lucky! I have just been in the islands for six days. I was on board Yacht La Pinta on an expedition cruise, rated as the best small cruise vessel in the Galapagos in 2009. It carries only 48 guests, a real luxury...
I visited many islands, saw more animals than ever before in my life, snorkelled among sea lions, turtles, fish and sharks; I walked paying close attention to the ground so I would not step on an iguana while avoiding looking up, just in case a passing bird left me a souvenir... I enjoyed every single visit to every single island.
Ah! And the pleasures aboard the yacht; very personalized service, very good food and excellent Chilean wines. My cabin was tops, and there were endless hours of conversation with fellow travellers on any interesting topic that came to mind. I had an INCREDIBLE time... Before returning I spent a night at the Finch Bay Hotel. Tropical beach, great dining, visiting Puerto Ayora, the nearby local town with bars and lively corners, plus a good jog to the incredibly beautiful Tortuga Bay. Mmmmm...
Now, back in Quito, and back to reality, but only for one day, since I will be taking a plane to Peru. I'll tell you all about it... Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno and Lake Titicaca... all this to come Ahhhhh...
The important thing for me is to be alert to every lesson the life brings to me. I guess I am One in a Million! Travel around the world as a job, getting to know new places, new faces, new cultures... Lucky me!
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