I have dreamed about visiting the Galápagos Islands since I read about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in prep school. Some dreams do come true.
Yesterday I hiked to the Sierra Negra volcano. It is a giant hole in the ground with a base of black stone thrown up from the bowels of the earth in a long ago volcano. The stark geological site is made surreal by puffs of clouds from the ocean that create a waterfall cascading over the edges. You then progress on the hike to a more recent volcanic field with exposed concentrations of iron and a distinct stench of sulfur emitted from the earth.
I then went to an ocean cove to see the legendary birds known as the blue-footed booby. They are best described as accurate dive bombers, circling until they dive at a 45-degree angle into the water to nab unsuspecting fish. The pelicans are frequent fishing companions, making giant splashes as they hit the surf.
In another cove, my stepson saw an octopus. He made a move toward it and was rewarded with a large squirt of black ink as it made its getaway.
Just outside of our hotel are dozens of iguanas. I visited a local bar and made the mistake of getting too close to an alpha male squatting on the roof. He turned on me, inflated his neck frill and looked like a creature from the movie “Jurassic Park.”
I also went with my wife Claudia and my stepchildren to the local beach and mangrove forest. A mother seal was nursing two of her babies on the walkway. I watched this tender scene for a while, then decided to step over them to get to the beach. Bad move. I had an outraged mother try to bite me. To say that I jumped back with Olympic level speed is an understatement.
So this city boy’s education continues tomorrow with snorkeling. They claim the sharks are toothless. After the seal experience, I am taking no chances.
Happy holidays to all.
Richard Edelman is president and CEO.