Marysville Travel and Cruise Company - Marysville, Washington

Galapagos Islands

YOU'VE HEARD OF DARWIN?
You've heard of the Galapagos Islands?

By Paul Dye

Our visit opened our eyes to the uniqueness and beauty of this remote natural wonder.

The Galapagos archipelago is made up the 13 large islands and 6 small islands and over 40 islets that have been officially named. They straddle the equator, 600 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. The first islands began when volcanic eruptions on the sea floor created underwater mounts a few million years ago.

In honor of the famous scientist, The Charles Darwin Research Station began operating in 1962 to ensure the conservation of unique Galapagos Ecosystem and promoted the scientific studies necessary to fulfill that conservation function.

Marysville Travel hosted a small group of 20 on a magical trip to the Galapagos, sailing around these secret islands and visiting the intriguing wildlife. Curious mockingbirds, prehistoric Iguanas...13 species of Darwin's finches endemic to the Islands... and the huge 600-pound tortoises, which gave the Islands their name.

One of the Several Races of Galapagos Tortoises

Amid colonies of seabirds, we saw comical blue-footed boobies performing a courtship dance... puffed crimson throated frigate birds showing off their mates... waved albatrosses by the hundreds. And the world's pinkest flamingos among the strange wondrous birds.

Male Frigate Bird in Courtship Display

We were captivated by the mood-like landscapes and mist covered volcanic peaks...green and red sand beaches... and forests of prickly pear cactus that grow taller than man. The surreal setting is as mysterious as the creatures that inhabit it. No wonder its been called the Enchanted Isles.

While you need to be careful about the intensity of the sun at the equator, the warmth of the air and the sea makes for a wondrous tropical holiday.

So start planning now for your tropical adventure. We will be glad to begin answering your questions and looking forward to having the opportunity in assisting you.