Impressions of the Galapagos Islands

As our delegation left the Galapagos Islands, we paused for a moment and wrote our impressions of the people, the animals and ourselves.

While everyone wrote about their Galapagos experiences, some students put their name with their written work, while others chose to remain anonymous.

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Leo Silva, Delegation Manager

The Galapagos are unique in the world. I have had a wonderful time with the People to People delegates. They transmit good energy. I’m glad and lucky to be your delegation manager; it is such a privilege. I am looking forward to making it unforgettable.

Every animal is special in this part of the world and these animals can’t be found anywhere else in the world

Please promote the conservation of this paradise for future generations.

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Brittany M.

The Galapagos Islands have great bio-diversity. It is a very exotic place and the Galapagos Islands are a beautiful area and it was a lot of fun. I would love to come back.

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Ryan G.

The Galapagos was mad legit,” beautiful sunrises and sunsets, endless beaches all sorts of wild critters; sea-lions, penguins, tortoises, iguanas, frigate birds, pelicans and boobies (blue-footed that is.) The boat rides were sweet, although some may agree otherwise, and each day was a new adventure. I wish we could have spent more time there chillen on the beaches, enjoying the salty breeze and the steady drum of the crashing waves. It’s one of those weeks that is worth remembering and it make it perfect being able to experience these mind-boggling sites and discoveries with new friends, people who I’ve only known for a few days and yet feel as though I could have known them my whole life. It’s an experience I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated.

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Eli T.

It was AMAZING! I would like to return. Snorkeling with the animals was awesome, I’m to glad I came on this trip. I can’t wait to bring the family to the Galapagos Islands. The Galapaganos love their nature.

I love boobies – blue-footed!

Weather is here, wish you were beautiful.

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Hayleigh M.

The Galapagos Islands are very different from North America., mostly dirt roads, very creepy bugs – HUGE SPIDERS!

Awesome adventures like swimming with penguins and sea lions.

Huge, muddy mountains that take 40-60 minutes to climb, but have the most amazing views.

Sweet people that laugh when you attempt to speak Spanish.

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Akhil V.

I had a lot of fun on the Galapagos Islands. Isabella was my favorite and I really enjoyed the snorkeling. The Charles Darwin Center was interesting and it was awesome seeing Lonesome George. I only wish I could have spent more time in the lava tunnels.

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Arielle Z.

There were too many creepy bugs that bite.
The people are amazing – both Galapaganos an the delegation.
There were one million hikes that better get me in shape!
There were tons of bathroom stops without toilet paper.

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Grant H.

The Galapagos Islands were a very unique experience. We all had a lot of fun. I enjoyed everyone we met on the tours. Me Gusta Nadar en la playa and our awesome hike to the sites. The people were great and the boat ride was sickening.

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Kirsten M.

The Galapagos Islands were a blast, I really enjoyed my time there. It was a once in a lifetime experience being able to tour around a few of the islands like Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabella. We were able to go snorkeling with the marine animals, like sea lions, fish and penguins. I had an amazing time.

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Brittany D.

When I signed up for this trip, I knew that it would be amazing. Never in my life have I felt the way I did when I was there, and I know that my time there is not over. It has affected me profoundly and every memory is a precious and rare gift. I will treasure this gift forever.

Stephen C.

The Galapagos experience was great. I love all the animals we saw, not to mention the seals and penguins that we swam with. The beaches were beautiful and I think no other can be as beautiful. The hikes were fun, though I enjoyed the snorkeling more. I took pictures of almost everything including iguanas to the bigger animals. If I every come back, it will be with my friends who are close and I care about because this is like a once-in-a-lifetime thing that can’t be forgotten because of the beauty and life on these islands. Via La Galapagos!

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Veronica H.

Traveling to the Galapagos Islands was a remarkable experience that I will never forget. Snorkeling with the sea lions and getting the chance to be within inches of them created a deep connection to the island and ecosystem Swimming through the waves that completely engulf you and watching the sun set from the black sandy beaches is just an experience that you must savor. Having good company around makes the experience even richer, knowing that these people will always share the same journey with you. Leaving the Galapagos was hard for me and as we fly away I can only hope that I will come back one day.

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Graham C-R.

My time in the Galapagos has been unforgettable to say the least. Being a person with a love of nature and wildlife, it was great to see so many animals up clse and personal. From marine iguanas to penguins, I saw just about all the animals that I hoped to see on this trip, and more. Hopefully, one day, I will return to these enchanted islands, the islands of the Galapagos.

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Halie E.

Lo seinto, Australia, pero los Galapagos son mucho mejor! Unas islas hermosas tienen animales y plantas que me hacen feliz. Mucho feliz. Yo quiero a volver a estudiar herpe tolosia.

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Liz G.

I really don’t the feeling that I felt, leaving the Galapagos Islands. Everything there amazed me, especially the snorkeling. The boat rides were a bit rough, but in the end it was all worth it. I met amazing people, tried amazing food and learned ALOT! The Galapagos Islands were a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

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Sharon Cassady, Delegation Leader

The Galapagos was like an exotic appetizer. It was just enough of a taste to make you hungry for the full meal. It was surprising, piquant, tantalizing, compelling, and exuberant – -all at the same time. I wanted to sip it and savor it while also wanting to gobble it up. I will be craving Isabella for the rest of my life.
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Adele R. Josovitz, Deleation Leader

Darwin stated, It’s not the strongest, the fittest or the most intelligent animals that survives, but the animal that are able to adapt that survive.

What Darwin said is so true – in respect to our personal lives. We will survive as humans if we adapt to our environment and to the people who we interact with each day

The survival of the tortoises, blue-footed boobies, seals, sea lions, frigates and finches is a small example of how the ability to adapt enables the animal kingdom to survive and the ability of humans to adapt will enable the human species to survive.

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I loved the Galapagos! The snorkeling was crazy awesome, the people were friendly, and what could be better than blue-footed boobies? Every not sweaty hike was worth it… Galapaganos unite!
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The Galapagos Islands !
1) Getting away from busy cities was a relaxing change of scenery
2) I loved being able to see interesting wildlife every place we went.
3) Seeing the world’s largest active volcano was mega awesome.

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The Galapagos was probably the most beautiful and breathtaking place that I’ve seen. It’s not everyday you get to see something even slightly close to the Galapagos Islands. I think this is something I’ll never forget.

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I LOVE the Galapagos!
The Galapagos has been amazing! I have learned so much about the land/animals and even about myself. I was interested in biology before the trip and this eperience has expanded my interest. It was absolutely amazing to swim with the animals and enjoy the natural beauty.

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The Galapagos Islands were completely amazing. I have never really had any ocean experiences, and I’m glad that this was my first. Snorkeling with the sea lions was unreal.

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I enjoyed learning about the unique animals of the Galapagos. The mating process of the tortoises was interesting. Swimming with the sea lions was fun. I enjoyed the beaches.

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The Galapagos was an amazing place. Each island had its surprises, the animal life was amazing and the opportunity to swim with sea lions was great. The beaches were beautiful and the water was nice. The people were extremely nice and made each island feel like home.

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My impression of the Galapagos Islands was that it was a unique experience. The islands vary in their weather and climate. Seeing the different animals and foliage will be an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. The people who live on these islands were very laid back and nice to us.

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I think visiting the Galapagos Islands was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I met great people, saw animals that don’t exist anywhere else and learned a lot of things about myself. Even though the trip to the Galapagos was only 4 days, I am so happy I went on this program.