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ErikS
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 8337
Location: Slowing boiling over in the steamy south, Global Warming is real12/16/14 4:44 AM |
That is my DREAM vacation spot!!!
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April
Joined: 13 Dec 2003
Posts: 6593
Location: Westchester/NYC12/16/14 7:24 AM |
"lots of pictures"
1200 in my case!!!
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April
Joined: 13 Dec 2003
Posts: 6593
Location: Westchester/NYC12/16/14 9:09 PM |
quote:
That is my DREAM vacation spot!!!
Make that dream a reality! As early as you can.
The Galapagos is under a huge amount of pressure from the sheer number of tourists. As much as the government try to limit the impact to the animals, you the tourist feel the pressure, from the presents of other tourists. The longer you wait, the more crowded it'll be.
We were on a small sail catamaran with only 12 passengers. So we were able to go onshore all as one group. Bigger ships had to split their passengers into smaller groups and go onshore at different times. But inevitably, the groups end up running into each other and had to wait for the previous group to move out before they could continue. We experienced that a couple times when we ended up at a location when a larger ship was also anchored.
When I was there, nearly 10 years ago, people were already talking about how busy it had become compared to 10 years earlier, even though we were there during the off season and it felts rather un-crowded by our expectations. I could only imagine what it's like now.
I would love to go back again. But part of me wonders will I be disappointed by the increased number of tourists making it more and more like a mini-Disney...
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ErikS
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 8337
Location: Slowing boiling over in the steamy south, Global Warming is real12/17/14 5:34 AM |
The other place I would love to visit is the Easter Islands. The far reaches of humanity interest me as much as they did Darwin. I just don't have a Beagle to float on or the bankroll for the trips.
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Matthew Currie
Joined: 11 Jan 2004
Posts: 802
Location: Vermont12/18/14 8:00 AM |
When we were in the Galapagos this year, we ran into very few other groups, but it was definitely choreographed very carefully. Every group going must clear its itinerary with the central park authorities, and limit its stay to a certain time, to minimize conflict. Different tours even from the same program may go to different places one time than another. The park administration supposedly knows and controls everything that's going on in the region. It's tightly controlled. But definitely worth it.
I agree with April, though, the sooner the better. Global warming, political turmoil, tourist pressure, the old lady in the Chrysler.... it all adds up, and who knows what tomorrow brings?
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Matthew Currie
Joined: 11 Jan 2004
Posts: 802
Location: Vermont12/18/14 11:54 AM |
Parkin, it worked fine. Looking forward to it for sure. We may not get the gold plated internet service down there, so soon off the radar but will wish all a merry Christmas now, and post a picture or two when we return unless we drop all our cameras in the ocean.
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PLee
Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 3713
Location: Brooklyn, NY12/18/14 12:27 PM |
If you're taking the National Geographic/Lindblad Explorer - make sure you participate in the Polar Plunge! I didn't, and have regretted it ever since . . .
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ErikS
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 8337
Location: Slowing boiling over in the steamy south, Global Warming is real12/18/14 4:25 PM |
Parkin the air is so CLEAR in your pics. As expected.
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PLee
Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 3713
Location: Brooklyn, NY12/18/14 4:37 PM |
That one picture of the penguin staring at the mountains in the distance - those mountains are over 5 miles away.
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Sparky
Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 19083
Location: PDX12/18/14 4:46 PM |
;)
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PLee
Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 3713
Location: Brooklyn, NY12/18/14 6:06 PM |
That's perfect for that bird! It's a snowy sheathbill, otherwise known as the garbage trucks of the Antarctic - they'll eat anything and poop over everything.
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Matthew Currie
Joined: 11 Jan 2004
Posts: 802
Location: Vermont12/31/14 7:56 PM |
Just got back, very tired after about 48 hours in the air, but it was wonderful. Millions of photographs, yet to sort. Saw of course penguins and seals, but also some whales, and lots and lots of ice and spectacular scenery. And yes, we did the polar plunge. Lucky weather, smooth crossing, etc. etc.
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