Politics News

Eric Castro asked:


What is it that makes Galapagos islands so amazing during September?? Being this month the peak of the Dry Season, a lot of unusual features are seen within the islands’ environment.? For example, who would expect a barren and desert-like habitat in the middle of the tropics, or who would expect animals not found in other tropical places thriving so well amidst volcanic islands?? For those that take the plunge and see the underwater wonders of the Galapagos islands Marine Reserve (largest one in America), you will be surrounded by tropical and subtropical species of fish, sea lions and penguins…where else on Earth can you encounter this?? While on land, September offers our guests unique events such as the pupping season for sea lions, blue-footed boobies with chicks in their nests, albatrosses with juveniles, migrant birds from northern latitudes, and due to the presence of cool waters the highest chances of encountering cetaceans (dolphins and whales).?

The dry weather makes walking on the islands quite pleasant, as temperatures reach levels no higher than 24?C-26?C (75?F-79?F).? Water temperature averages at 20?C (68?F) and if you want to feel more comfortable in the water (and of course, stay longer) we recommend that you bring with you a shortie wet suit.? Days tend to start cloudy, but the thin layer of clouds usually disipates by mid morning as the heat of the sun burns off such low moisture clouds.? Wind is common through this month, and seas are moderately strong (windbreaker, long sleeve shirts or sweatshirts will make you feel comfortable).? September is a wonderful month to be in Galapagos islands.? Nature enthusiasts, wildlife connoiseurs, photographers, families, and all will experience the most amazing tropical desert, no matter how bizarre this oxymoron sounds. Historically, September is also the time we conmmeorate Charles Darwin’s visit aboard the H.M.S Beagle, which dates back to 1835.? In September the travelers will surely leave Galapagos islands satisfied.

?

Overall natural events:

Peak of the dry (gar?a) season

The air temperature reaches its lowest levels at night (19?C-66?F)

Galapagos islands Penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolom?. Swimmers and snorkelers will be delighted with penguins active at the surface or torpedo-like while underwater.

? Sea lions are very active. Females have reached estrus stage, and so harem-gathering males are constantly barking and fighting. Shore fighting is heavy. Western and central islands are the most active ones in terms of sea lions’ activities.

? Most species of sea birds remain quite active at their nesting sites.? Common encounters with dolphins and whales.

For more information about Ecuador tours & Galapagos cruises visit:

Galapagos Islands Cruises

Galapagos Cruises

Eric Castro asked:


September 7th, 1835: H.M.S. Beagle set sail from Callao, Peru, to the Galapagos Archipelago. About eight days later, o ff in the distance, the island of San Cristobal Island showed a high volcanic peak as evidence of arrival. They young Englishman had arrived to one of Earth’s most pristine areas: the Galapagos. For a period of five weeks the HMS Beagle sails in Galapagos waters under the command of Captain Robert Fitzroy. Their mission: to survey isolated places hardly visited by navigators. This list of places includes Cape Horn, Australia & New Zealand, Galapagos, Tahiti, and more.

Young Charles Darwin spent only two weeks ashore, and it was enough time for him to catch a glimpse of what is natural selection. Little did he know, it would take him almost 25 years after his Galapagos visit, to publish the book The Origin of Species. Scientific thinking was to change forever, as Darwinian principles now dominate virtually any field of study.

Our ships decided to take part of this celebration, and 170 years later, our Galapagos Naturalists included during briefings a small excerpt of C. Darwin’s visit to the islands, matching that particular day.

Upon landing on September 15th, 1835… H.M.S. Beagle reached Hood Island today. Early in the morning Edward Chaffers (master) and Arthur Mellersh (midshipman) set out on a boat to examine the island’s shoreline. By noon another boat was launched to survey the central islands of the archipelago. Later in the afternoon H.M.S. Beagle reached Chatham Island. Darwin was intrigued by the black lava rocky shore, and raw hostile environment of the island.

These days, our guests get to learn more insights about Charles Darwin. Clearly, our intention is to share a very important subject with our visitors; one that blends history, amazement and discovery.

The HMS Beagle sailed away from Galapagos after a glooming sunset in October 20th, 1835. Aboard our ships, our Expedition Staff will thoroughly cover throughout September and October what Charles Darwin’s visit to Galápagos must have been like, back in 1835.

Certainly, this is an anniversary that commemorates a voyage that brought Darwin to what would become later, his greatest source of inspiration, and evolutionary evidence.

For more information about Galapagos Cruise & Tours visit:

Galapagos Islands Cruises

Galapagos Cruises

Eric Castro asked:


January 04 1837

This was a big day for Darwin. Today he gave his first speech before the Royal Geological Society in London. He was very nervous! All the experts in geology were there and this was Darwin’s big chance to prove himself to his peers. The topic of his paper was on the gradual raising of South America over eons of time. He concluded that as land masses raise upward, the nearby ocean floor subsides, and that the animals on the raising continent somehow or another adapt to these very slow changes (at this time Darwin had no idea how this happened). This theory represented a shift away from Lyell’s theory which stated that animals cannot adapt, but rather die out and are replaced with new species. This was one of the earliest signs that Darwin was beginning to develop his own theories, going beyond his mentors. The speech, by the way, was received very well by nearly all the geologists there.

For more information about Galapagos Cruises & Tours visit:

Galapagos Islands Cruises

Galapagos Cruises

Eric Castro asked:


On Sunday February 12th, we celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday. On board our Galápagos cruises we are having a series of commemorating events that will bring us together with Charles Darwin’s legacy. Of course, the Galápagos Islands are an icon in Darwin’s life, and certainly a strong foundation for the development of the theory of natural selection, commonly known as the Theory of Evolution. Our ships’ itineraries also visit the islands the HMS Beagle voyaged back in 1835.

This year our events have been accepted by the Darwin Day Organization (www.darwinday.org) as the only events from any Ecuadorian organization commemorating the Darwin Day Celebration.. Through this web site, we receive immediate coverage of our rewarding events, and we are glad to see ourselves next to other important organizations of the World. This initiative should lead the way to the year 2009 where once-in-a-lifetime events will occur: Charles Darwin’s Bicentennial (1809-2009), and the 150th Anniversary of the publication of the Origin of Species (1859-2009). Another event of significant relevance is for sure February 12th, 1832, the year the Galápagos Islands were officially declared an insular territory of Ecuador. Such possession was issued by our first President, General Juan José Flores.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. CHARLES DARWIN…!

To see our international participation in the Darwin Day Celebration, visit: http://www.darwinday.org/englishL/home/2006.php

For general information about Charles Darwin, visit:http://www.aboutdarwin.com/index.html

For information regarding the Voyage of the Beagle in Galápagos, visit: http://www.aboutdarwin.com/voyage/voyage08.html

For other Ecuador & Galapagos Cruises visit:

Galapagos Islands Cruises

Galapagos Cruises