Exploring The Galapagos Islands Aboard The Galapagos Explorer II

There are adventurous travelers and there are travelers who really enjoy being pampered more than a great adventure. I have vacationed the complete spectrum, I have pinched pennies while vacationing in Gatlinburg Tennessee and stayed in a very expensive vacation home with a private maid in Saint Jean de Luz, France. I will admit that the vacation home with a private maid was a nice way to experience France.

But, I am an adventurer at heart, probably born from my days as a kid where I grabbed a fishing pole or net and waded creeks and ponds to see what was there. My favorite type of travel is where you see things up close and personal with exposure to the people, culture and wildlife. This might require you to hop on a rubber landing raft and land on a beach where no one lives, or it might require you to reach down and pet a whale. Adventurers run between 8 and 98 years old generally.

This is my second trip discussing the Galapagos Islands . But, today I am going to focus on a ship which was specifically designed to provide adventurous travels in the Galapagos in a nature friendly way. When you think about the most incredible nature destinations the Galapagos would be on the top 5 in anyone's book I believe and number 1 in many eyes. Here is some info on the Galapagos from wikipedia.com The archipelago has been known by many different names, including the "Enchanted Islands" because of the way in which the strong and swift currents made navigation difficult. The first crude navigation chart of the islands was done by the buccaneer Ambrose Cowley in 1684, and in those charts he named the islands after some of his fellow pirates or after the English noblemen who helped the pirates' cause. The term "Galápagos" refers to the Spanish name given to the Giant Land Tortoises known to inhabit the islands. The adjective "Galápagan" may be used to describe things from or related to the islands. Noteworthy species include:

Galapagos land iguanas
Marine Iguana
Galapagos tortoise (Galápagos Giant tortoise), Geochelone elephantopus, known as Galápago in Spanish, it gave the name to the islands
Galapagos Green Turtle, thought to be a subspecies of the Pacific Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas agassisi
Trepand Sea Cucumbers, the cause of environmental battles with fishermen over quotas of this expensive Asian delicacy.
Flightless Cormorant, Phalacrocorax harrisi
Great Frigatebird and Magnificent Frigatebird
Blue Footed Booby, Sula nebouxii, popular among visitors for their large blue feet which they show off in courtship
Galapagos Penguin, Spheniscus mendiculus, the only living tropical penguin Waved Albatross, Phoebastria irrorata, the only living tropical albatross
Galapagos Hawk, Buteo galapagoensis, the islands' main scavenger and "environmental police"
4 endemic species of mockingbirds the first species Darwin noticed to vary from island to island
13 endemic species of buntings, popularly called Darwin's finches. Among them is the Sharp-beaked Ground-finch Geospiza difficilis septentrionalis which is sometimes called the "Vampire Finch" for its blood-sucking habits, and the tool-using Woodpecker Finch, Camarhynchus pallidus
Galápagos Sea Lions, Zalophus californianus

OK, let's get back to your trip. What do you think of when you hear 'Galapagos Islands'? The first thing that comes to my mind is an incredible variety of unique species. Because of the isolation of the Galapagos islands the species found here are often unique to this area. There are unique crabs, fish, tortoises, birds. Retracing the steps of Charles Darwin in his journey of the Beagle has to rank highly with any adventurous traveler. For a specialized trip to the Galapagos Islands we recommend the ship named Galapagos Explorer II. This ship has 50 suites with outside views and was specifically designed to explore the Galapagos Islands. You will have six expert naturalist guides on board to help you learn about the islands on a ship which is environmentally friendly to this pristine area. Activities will include snorkeling, star gazing from December to April (with expert help), beach explorations, glass bottom boats, whale watching and hiking explorations. There is even a Naturalist Room where you can help scientists who are performing experiments on the Galapagos area. Here is a sample itinerary. As you can see this is an active trip with a lot of exploring packed into a short amount of time. Saturday AM: Arrival by air to Baltra Airport Saturday PM: Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island Sunday AM: Bartholemew Island Sunday PM: Puerto Egas, Santiago Island Monday AM: Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island Monday PM: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island Tuesday AM: Semour Norte Tuesday PM: El Chato (Highlands), lave tunnels and Wild Giant Tortoises, Santa Cruz Island Wednesday AM: Loberia or Islas Lobos or Tijeretas or El Junco and Interpretation Center, San Cristobal Island Departure from San Cristobal Island Please keep in mind that this itinerary could change according to what species is most active at the time so you might do something different. But, it doesn't really matter because the first charts of this area were drawn in 1793 and explored in the Voyage of the Beagle in 1835. Since then this area has changed very little and remains one of the best exploratory trips available.

I hope you are now extremely interested in going to the Galapagos. How can an explorer not take this chance if time and money are available? Next week I will describe some longer trips that also include the Galapagos. But, if you are only interested in the Galapagos this is probably your trip.

For more info please go here [http://www.my-cruise-space.com/bloginforequest.html]!

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a paradise and heaven a naturalist. The clean environment, roads, parks and clean fresh air attract all nature lovers. Tropical rain forests and the waters of the Bay of Bengal are the home of a large collection of plants, animals and marine life. Topographically the islands are hilly in places fringed with coconut trees, covered with tropical jungle and interspersed with flat stretches of crescent shapedBeaches>. adventure tourism such as hiking, camping Iceland snorkeling, diving, etc. and other water sports are the real attractions. A wonderful blend of nature precious pleased to announce the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a unique holiday experience.

Islands

Jolly Buoy

An island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, offers breathtaking views of underwater coral and marine environment. It 's a great place for snorkeling, sea bathing and basking onKissed by the sun on the beach.

Five Iceland

The call of underwater coral gardens and unspoiled beaches specially a sand bar joining two islands are irresistible. Great place for diving, swimming, fishing and camping.

Red Skin Iceland

Another island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a beautiful beach and offers a spectacular view of marine life and coral.

Havelock Island

About 38 km. from Port Blair, this island offers an idyllic location in theThe lap of virgin beach and pristine nature. A facility campground is located near the beach in Radhanagar. A board of Tourism Department "Dolphin Resort" for tourists.

Barren Island

At a distance of about 135 km. from Port Blair is the land of volcanoes, Iceland bar, the only active volcano in India. The island, about 3 km. has a big crater of the volcano, rising abruptly from the sea, about 1 / 2 km. from the coast and is about

150Fathoms deep. It can be visited by ships on board.

Ross Island

Once the seat of British power and capital of these islands, now and in recent days with the ruins of the old structure almost in ruins. A small museum named 'Smritika takes "photographs and other antiques from the British, interested in these islands.

Viper Iceland

The British detainees at the port here. The first prison was here which was abandoned after the construction of mobile embeddedJail. He hung a scaffold on a hill, where the prisoners were sentenced. Sher Ali, Lord Mayo, Viceroy of India was killed in 1872, also hanged here.

Chatham Iceland

He has a sawmill is located on the small island connected by a bridge over a stretch of sea water. The sawmill is one of the oldest and largest in Asia. The main port of the island-continent is also here. The other door is Haddo, which is located nearby.

National Memorial

The three-story prison,built by the British in 1906, is a place of pilgrimage for freedom fighters. This colossal structure has disabled treacherous of inhumane atrocities committed by the prisoners, who were mostly freedom fighters experts carried. Now, dedicated to the nation as a National Memorial.

Anthropological Museum

The Museum in Phoenix Bay (bus stand - Delanipur Street) depicts the life of the Paleolithic Islanders. It also houses models of the aborigines and their tools. Closed Mondaysand holidays.

Fishing Museum

Near Andaman Water Sports Complex, shows the types of marine life peculiar to the islands and are found in Indo-Pacific and the Gulf of Bengal. Closed Mondays and holidays.

Entrance fee: Adults - Rs 2 / -, Child (under 12) Re 1 / -,

Video light without focus - R 25 / -

Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum)

Centrally located, facing the Andaman Teal House, Delanipur this museum aims to introduce the various aspects ofoceanic environment. Finding a good collection of shells, corals and certain species of colorful fish in these islands are on display.

Time: 08:30 clock - 12:00 clock, clock 14.00 bis 17.00, closed Mondays and holidays
Registration fee - Rs 10 / -

Zoological Survey of India Museum

Middle Andaman Teal House, a museum and research library shows a good variety of sponges, corals, butterflies, centipedes, etc. Open every working day.

Forest Museum

Situated at Haddo(Near the Zoo), this museum provides an insight into forest activities through models and displays decorative pieces of famous woods like Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, satin wood, etc. Open every working day.

Cellular Jail

Cellular Jail, located in Port Blair, stood mute witness to the torture, freedom fighters who were detained in this prison imposed. The prison in 1906 was called the "cell", because it consists onlyindividual cells for the solitary confinement of prisoners. Originally a seven pillars, puce-colored building with central tower, as its fulcrum and a massive sub-structure comprising honeycomb like corridors. The building was subsequently damaged and presently three out of seven points are intact. The prison, now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom-loving peoples, was declared a National Monument Memorial.

The penal settlement established in Andamans by the British afterWar of Independence in 1857 was the beginning of the heartbreaking story of freedom fighters in the massive and awful jails at Viper Iceland, followed by the Cellular Jail.

The Patriots, who had raised his voice against the British Raj to jail, where many died. Netaji Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the tricolor flag to proclaim independence in the 30th December 1943 in a town near the prison.

The three-story prison, built in 1906 by the British, is a pilgrimageTarget of freedom fighters. This colossal structure has disabled treacherous of inhumane atrocities committed by the prisoners, who were mostly freedom fighters experts carried. Now, dedicated to the nation as a National Memorial.

The announcement was made by the heroic struggle for freedom alive in a moving Son et Lumière every day indicated on the prison compound to clock 6.00 (Hindi) and 19.15 clock (in English). There is also a museum, an art gallery and a photo gallery, open every day exceptMonday from 09.00 14.00 to 17.00 a clock and 12 clock.

Registration Fee: - Rs 5 / -, Camera - Photo - R 10 / -, video - R 50 / -
Light & Sound Show - Admission: Adults Rs 20 / -, Child Rs 10 / - (over 5 and up to 12 years)

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor is at a distance of 29 km. from Port Blair covering an area of 281.5 square. This Km Marine Park made-up of the open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is one of the bestfound anywhere in the world. Viewing of rare corals and marine life from a glass bottom boat, scuba diving and snorkeling is an experience for everyone.

See the Galapagos Islands cruise

There are some changes in the Galapagos Island Tours are available, depending on how much time you have in this beautiful place to stay unique and impressive. Only five of the islands are inhabited, the rest are set aside for the province of protected fauna and flora in national parks, but all together occupy about three percent of the Galapagos. Hiking in the park, walked into a country where giant tortoises live for a century, in which the birds have blue feet, and wheremay appear very different species such as cormorants, marine iguanas and below the water together.

is the best way to accommodate the diversity of the Galapagos Islands on a cruise with which to see as animals from place to place can begin to be different. You may even be able to fluctuations in finches (or "stamina") from one island to see how Charles Darwin on his famous voyage in the nineteenth century.

You can choose from a variety of Galapagos CruiseExperience with the job varies depending on your taste and the duration of the trip. There are graceful sailboats-engine, great, strong ships, facilities for ninety passengers, and smaller, smooth luxury yacht with 20 cabins.

Each boat in the best Galapagos Cruises has its own naturalist guide who will accompany you on day trips to the islands, said about the curious and unique species of animals can be and how it affectsgrand theory of Charles Darwin.

If boats are not your thing, or perhaps rather prefer a permanent exchange of experience on your cruise vacation Galapagos are not the only option. There are some hotels on the islands, the hotels recommended are in Santa Cruz. The Royal Palm Hotel is an example of luxury. This is an exclusive retreat with an emphasis on double solitude and nature. Another reason is the Finch Bay Eco Resort, Hotel, prize winner with a private beach.

A compromise between theCruise and choosing a hotel is one of the Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges Tours. This is a multi-center holiday style, moving between three hotels for five days. You will still be seen on three different islands, but without the emphasis on boating. This is someone to see the dress she tries to see more of the Galapagos Islands, but rather to have an accommodation to the ground.

Galapagos Islands tours tend to start in Ecuador, the nearest land mass of earth andthe country that protects and controls the islands. Ecuador is the busiest port city of Guayaquil. Some ten-night Galapagos cruise packages set aside a day to explore this vibrant city with its historic area of wooden buildings and landmarks along the River.

Peru is the country's gateway to other Galapagos tour, you should remember that the best tour operators will help you create a path for themselves. Imagine the wonders of Machu PicchuGalapagos in a holiday!

However you approach the Galapagos cruise, the islands are surely inspire you. Where else can you walk on a lava flow cooled and then have a conversation with a sea lion on the beach?