In 2011, I had the chance to go to the Galapagos Islands, which I knew about during my high school years, researched during my university years, and said I should go here in 2007. When I heard that a friend of mine was going there during his South American tour, I got excited and went to him a few months later, arranging a holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos. It has 2 seasons, dry and wet, and I went at the beginning of the dry season and the weather was great. Ecuador was very enjoyable with my friend, I will share it with you in a separate article, but going to the Galapagos Islands alone was an adventure in itself. The Galapagos Islands are volcanic archipelagos connected to Ecuador… According to our guide, these islands change location every year, even if only millimeters, in other words, they are still living volcanic islands. Except for Isabela – the largest island, famous for its seahorse-like shape – and Santa Cruz, the others have only natural life, and that natural life contains animals and plants that you cannot see anywhere else. The undersea has an incredibly rich diversity. Going to see the habitat, which I heard was unique anywhere else, was the biggest factor that drew me to the Galapagos. Oh, and Charles Darwin, of course. This island was first discovered by South American natives, but it became world famous after Charles Darwin visited this place. The islands inspire his “Theory of Evolution” studies, and some of them are done here. For this reason, the Charles Darwin Research Center is located on Santa Cruz Island, one of the settlement centers of the Galapagos Islands. There are giant turtles on the island, most of them are around 150 years old and their size is so big that you wouldn’t believe it if you didn’t see it with your own eyes. Since they are extinct, they are protected here and are very well cared for. I flew to Galapagos from Guayaquil and the planes land at Baltra Airport. Unique experiences begin at this time. It’s a tiny airport just shy of the bus station. There is no security at the airport. It has two most important features: the airport is open and airy everywhere, and iguanas welcome you on the runway. They are everywhere and you try to pass without stepping on the iguanas while taking your suitcase, getting off the plane and walking to the exit 🙂 We are coming to Puerto Ayora. If you really want to experience the Galapagos Islands; Then the best way to holiday is to stay on cruise boats and be on the sea all the time. Generally, two types of tours are organized: 5 nights and 7 nights. I did the 5-night option, but I saw all the most visible islands, especially the untouched islands with no life at all… Santa Cruz is where the journey begins, they come by boat and take you to your boat where you will stay for 1 week. Santa Fe, Floreana, Espanola, San Cristobal, Genovesa… They are all magnificent and unique islands. I thought a lot about whether I should do the longer one, but 5 nights was enough and really, these islands are enough to see the habitat in its best form and would I go again if I had the opportunity? many times! : ) Boat cabins are not very large, but there are very luxurious ones, of course, the comfort is at the highest level, but when you go to the Galapagos, you spend very little time on the boat anyway. If I were to summarize a day; The boat was for 16 people, we get up every morning at 06.00 with a guide because there is a briefing. Our guide explains where we will go that day, what we will see, what we should pay attention to, and summarizes the general rules. For example, it is strictly forbidden to get closer than 200 meters to the world’s wonder island creatures. Snorkelling is done 2 sometimes 3 times a day. When some people do not prefer this, they stay on the boat and have free time, but I must say that if you are not a sea lover and are not going to do snorkeling, I think you should go stay in a hotel or hostel on Isabela Island and just enjoy the view. Every day, after the briefing and breakfast, the journey to the island begins. It is unique to experience the creatures and nature that we heard about with curiosity during the morning briefing. It is forbidden to go on the island with slippers or shoes, only you and your camera with you… Iguanas and seals sunbathing on the islands, the frigate bird that dances to court its female, 3 types of booby birds, blue, yellow and red-footed, which incubates on its eggs. The list goes on, from the albatross, the longest-winged bird in the world, to the iguana whose placenta is still there after giving birth. Under the sea, there are various species from hammerhead sharks to giant stingrays, penguins, starfish, seals, endless schools of fish, the list goes on. After visiting the world of living things on land and while snorkeling, lunch on the boat and similar sightseeing and experiences, then dinner… People get so tired that everyone falls asleep at 20:00 in the evening. If you go to the Galapagos, be sure to visit Post Office Bay on Floreana Island. This is a tiny box made of wood from the 19th century. Those who passed through here for centuries, especially pirate ships, left letters here, and the indefinite wait continued until someone from another ship came, took those letters and delivered them to their place. This tradition still continues. I wrote a postcard to myself and sent it to my address in TR, I waited with excitement. Less than a year later, a Peruvian person carried my letter with him when he went to the same place, mailed it to me when he returned to Peru, and my happiness when it reached me is indescribable, a different feeling and bond. You should definitely get close to the sharks while snorkeling, I was very scared, the guide convinced me, yes there were some injuries or bad stories, but if you know how to behave, there is no danger, the baby seal haunted me underwater and swam with me for minutes, clinging to my arm, until its mother came and took it away. In summary, be sure to snorkel for similar experiences, and if something passes around you so quickly that you wonder what that was, know that it’s a penguin 🙂 Finally I would also like to talk about some local tastes. All very delicious. The Spanish influence is definitely present in the food. They are very good at seafood. Ceviche, Coconut Octopus, Encebollado are my favorites. There are super tropical fruits here and I suggest you try them all. What remains of the Galapagos Islands; Friendships made with 5 unique travel-loving world citizens who came on holiday alone like me, creatures and flora that I may never see again in my life, adrenaline-filled moments, magnificent photographs and videos… Mavimore Tourism is a travel agency registered with TÜRSAB. Document number: A-8307