My favorite travel memories – Carina Svensson
PolarQuest’s very own Carina plans and coordinates our trips around the world. She is a globetrotter and have been to most of our destinations. Your best chance to run in to her is if you paddle kayak or climb a mountain somewhere remote. We asked Carina to tell us about her best memories from her trip to Galapagos – a place many of us have on our bucket list.
Galapagos Islands – I can’t recall how many times I have dreamt about going back to these magical islands. They seem to have it all: long white sandy beaches, black lava cliffs, green hills, blue sea and a fearless and curious wildlife.
I have so many wonderful memories from my trip to the Galapagos Islands, and it took me quite some time to process all impressions after I got home. One of my favorite moments was when we stumbled upon a sea lion which had just given birth to a cub. They were only a few feet away from us and the mother, who was completely unafraid, took care of her little baby while we watched them calmly and curiously. It was a meeting I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Another sweet memory was when I for the first time got to see black lava cliffs completely covered by sea iguanas. I was so fascinated by these ancient dragon-like creatures. Or all the times when we went scuba diving and were accompanied by playful sea lions, sea turtles, colorful fish and penguins that cruised below the waves at speeds faster than Olympic swimmers. Beneath me I saw rays and reef sharks – it might sound scary, but they are totally harmless. When we were back on shore and the whole group was gathered, a massive sea lion crawled its way up from the sea and decided to pass exactly where we were standing. We all moved and watched it pass – completely unaffected by our presence, such a surreal experience.
Another unforgettable moment was when we reached the highlands and was able to study the elephant turtles up close. They are gigantic indeed! I still can’t believe we got close enough to hear them chewing on the green grass. But if I must choose one favorite animal, it must be the blue footed booby – this adorable creature with squinting eyes and blue feet.
Every evening, after dinner, we sat down together and listened to the guides as they shared their knowledge about this magical place and told us about the adventures that awaited us the next day. At the same time, I tried to process all amazing encounters from the day. When I went to bed and fell asleep to the sound of gentle waves caressing the beach, the last question in my head was always: what could possibly top this day?
Destinations
-
The Galapagos Islands are located on the Equator, in the Pacific Ocean, nearly 600 miles off mainland Ecuador. Here we can play with sea lions, swim with penguins and photograph iguanas and giant tortoises. The animals are unafraid of humans and for anyone interested in wildlife, the Galapagos archipelago is a true oasis. Since 2003, we have taken adventurous travellers to this wildlife haven - now it's your turn!