HIGHLAND

Experiencing
the Galapagos
interested in saving an environment so far away
from where they call home. However, without such
places like the Galápagos, we would be unable
to experience some of the many organisms and
breathtaking sceneries that we do today. As a result
of my trip last summer, I want to protect the islands
in the hopes that people after me can have the same
unforgettable experience that I did, which I encourage
you all to do if you ever get the opportunity.
Part Two By Oliver Schwartz ‘15
I have been lucky enough to have gone on a few
exciting overseas trips with the Highland community
and to have gone on many overseas vacations with
my family. However, I have never been on an
adventure that was as incredible as this one to the
Galápagos. On any vacation, there is usually one
moment that stands out…whether it is a breathtaking
view, a visit to a certain building or museum, or simply
an amazing dinner. On this trip, every moment was
a moment to remember forever.
“On any vacation, there
is usually one moment that stands
out… whether it is a breathtaking
view, a visit to a certain building
or museum, or simply an amazing
dinner. On this trip, however,
every moment was a moment
to remember forever.“
Off to the Galápagos Archipelago
After our short stay in Ecuador, we flew to the
Galápagos Archipelago, then hopped on a boat
and eventually found ourselves on a dock leading
onto Isabela Island. While we loaded the trucks with
our suitcases, we had our first encounter with the
Galápagos wildlife. Laying there in the middle of the
road was a beautiful, orange, massive iguana. Not far
from him was a sea lion sunning himself next
to some local fishermen.
As the trip continued, wildlife was abundant at every
turn. Whether we were climbing up volcanoes, walking
on volcanic islands, or snorkeling, there were always
marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, and sea lions
to accompany us. Every night, a handful of us would
venture out onto the beach in the dark and climb over
the rocks with flashlights to look at the abundance of life
that could be found in the tidal pools. To our delight, we
found a plethora of crabs, octopi, and even an eel.
Where Else Can You Play with Sea Lions?
Our days were spent hiking, boating, and most exciting
of all, snorkeling. I have never had an experience quite
like swimming with sea lions before, and I can only
hope that one day I have the opportunity to do it again.
As we slowly swam out into the bay with our flippers
and snorkels, we started to notice fleeting shadows
dancing around us in the water.
At first, I thought they were simply large fish, until
a small furry face popped up out of nowhere just a
few inches away from my mask. What happened next
can only be described as cartoon-like…the sea lion
“kissed” my mask.
I was taken completely by surprise and my startled
reaction scared the figurative pants off of that poor sea
lion. After I realized what had happened, I immediately
swam over to Ivel Lee Collins ‘13 who was almost as
excited as I was about what had just happened.
For the next hour, Ivel Lee and I swam with the sea
lions in what I must say was one of the most amazing
experiences of my life. Wild and free, they glided
effortlessly through the water, only to look back
to make sure we were following them.
Life in a Wildlife Sanctuary
I never thought that a wild animal would act in such a
playful way toward a human, but in that moment the true
beauty of the Galápagos as a whole is easily seen. The
entire archipelago is a sanctuary for all types of wildlife
and because there is so much regulation and respect for
the environment, animals aren’t afraid of people.
The iguanas don’t run, the sea lions just want to play,
and even the birds were too busy eating their fruits to
be bothered by the proximity of humans. For anyone
who is even remotely fascinated by wildlife (can you tell
that I am?), there is no better place to view and interact
with it than in the Galápagos and we were lucky enough
that this trip gave us the opportunity to do just that.
If you want a once in a lifetime chance to see a whole
different world, this trip is for you and all I can say is
I can’t wait to do it again next summer. n
44 Highland Magazine highlandschool.org