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Rich Jepsen, our CEO, led a group of 15 other adventurers to Ecuador and an adventure through the Galapagos Islands in late April on OCSC's 2008 Galapagos Adventure. Here's his report:
The Galapagos Archipelago, located 600 miles west of the Ecuadoran mainland, is one of the most compelling natural wonders in the Americas. Beautiful islands, fantastic volcanic formations and a staggering variety of unique creatures, trees and plants, many only found here.
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.jpg) | Our group of OCSC members and friends spent seven days aboard a 216 foot motorsailer called the Mary Anne, calling on several of the most exciting islands in the Galapagos Archipelago, Santa Cruz, Fernandina, Sombrero Chino, Santiago and others.
We were treated to perfect weather and warm water as we spent day after day visiting islands to see blue footed boobies (fishing birds with aquamarine colored feet-beautiful), land and marine iguanas, frigate birds and albatrosses. We hiked in to a preserve to see the famous Galapagos Giant Domed Tortoises as well.
Some of the biggest highlights were found in the water! Everyone, at some point came up close and personal with sea lions, Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and sand sharks as well as huge numbers of reef fish. The animals' absolute lack of fear of humans, on land and in the water, allowed us access that was breathtaking.
From the vessel, during crossings in deep water, we saw the larger, brown Galapagos shark, whales and manta rays.
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The experience was made incredibly more exciting and rewarding by the performance of our naturalist guide, Desiree Cruz, a native Ecuadoran and biologist. Desiree was incredibly knowledgeable and forthcoming on the entire archipelago. From her we learned some much about flora, fauna, volcanic history of the islands as well as the history of man's influence, positive and negative, on the island chain.
We learned that Blue Footed Boobies have two chicks, for insurance, but choose the healthier one to nurture, allowing the weaker one to die. We learned that frigate birds, even though they are foragers on the sea, will drown if they land in the water. We learned that the archipelago was created by the Pacific Tectonic Plate moving east over volcanic hotspots creating new islands as the hotspots erupted under water. The eastern most islands are several millions of years older than the western most, the youngest and tallest.
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Finally, the vessel and crew of the Mary Anne were wonderful, with well prepared, varied and delicious meals three times a day, air conditioned and comfortable staterooms as well as a very competent and accommodating crew.
Anthony will be heading up our trip to the Galapagos Archipelago next year, so keep an eye out for details if you're interested!
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