"The Galapagos ..." a Galápagos Islands Travel Page by catalysta

Darwin was actually going out to these islands to study their volcanic geology, and then got caught up in his notions about evolution while there.

Interestingly, he was so devoted to his studies that he braved a long ocean voyage on the Beagle, despite terrible problems with seasickness.

Read more about the man, his theories, his times, and his controversies on www.aboutdarwin.com.

This isn't something most people are going to see more than once, since it's remote and expensive to do, so make sure you get a good guide and see it well!

My mom & I went together, using Inca Floats, and they proved to be an excellent outfit. You can extend your trip to include Peru/Macchu Picchu (I declined the extension, since I'd alrady been to Peru) or the Amazon if you wish. See their website at www.incafloats.com

Our guide, Richard Polatty, was reknowned as one of the foremost experts in the field. His knowledge base covered everything from biology to vulcanology. Check out his web page at www.naturalist.com.

We were able to witness evolution at an accelerated pace, due to the devastating effects of the El Nino currents of '97-98. The waters were slightly warmed by the currents, only a degree or two, but enough to kill off a lot of the algae on which the Marine Iguanas feed exclusively.

Many of them were literally starving to death with their bellies full, eating the different algaes that were growing in place of their usual fare, due to the temperature change in the seawater.

Sadly, this meant my main olfactory memory of the islands is of dead and dying animals, which we encountered everywhere. Yet we knew the survivors would be the strongest, the few who could eek out a bit of nutrition from the newer algaes.