The Galapagos Islands and a visit from National Geographic Expert Dr. David Silverberg

Wow, it has been an amazing eight days in the Galapagos! As we sit in the airport on Santa Cruz, awaiting our flight back to Quito, we can't help but reflect on our amazing experience here.

When we arrived in San Cristobal, we were greeted with clear skies and a warm breeze. As the students stepped off the plane, we could see the look of amazement in their eyes. Dr. David Silverberg, our resident National Geographic expert, met us at the airport; as we waited to get through the National Park security check he kept our students engaged by talking with them about the many differences between endemic cacti. Our Galapagos adventure had already begun. . .

After checking into our hotel we headed out into town to explore the beachside boardwalk. From pelicans to marine iguanas, and blue footed boobies to sea lions, the seaside was full of life. As we walked down the boardwalk, birds flew overhead and sea lions called out. Making our way across town, we split our students into two groups and prepared for our first activity. While one group went on a hike through a national park area to a look out point, the other walked through the Interpretation Center where students learned about the history of the Galapagos Islands as well as recent efforts to protect and conserve their unparalleled beauty. Once each group finished, we switched activities. As the sun set, we met up on a beach to get our first opportunity to observe (and photograph!) several sea lions that were relaxing in the sand.

Our second day began early when Colby & Dr. Silverberg took a handful of students for a sunrise photography shoot. After breakfast, some students went snorkeling while others explored a giant tortoise breeding center and explored the rim of a volcanic crater. In the water, the students had their first up-close encounter with playful sea lions, Galapagos sharks, giant sea turtles and a variety of fish.

That afternoon Rachel's Photography students explored the town, while Colby and Hannah's students split up and went off to explore separate beaches. Hannah's Wildlife and Conservation group observed marine life while snorkeling; they spotted a humpback whale breeching. Colby's Photography group went out on assignment for their first Galapagos wildlife photography shoot where they shot photos of the infamous blue footed booby!

The next morning, Colby, Rachel, Hannah and Dr. Silverberg took the group out for a second straight day of photography work at sunrise. Meeting back in town in the afternoon, Hannah's students passed out local surveys while Colby and Rachel's Photography teams went snorkeling at a beach that was full of giant iguanas.

The following morning we loaded our bags onto two speedboats and made our way to the island of Santa Cruz. En route, a few students spotted a pair of dolphins while others got a rare glimpse of the waved albatross. After checking into our hotel, we took a walk through town and enjoyed a delicious lunch.

Next we went on a guided hike through a national park area to the beautiful Tortuga Bay. During the walk our guides explained to us the importance of the endemic flora of Santa Cruz and we heard Galapagos mocking birds and Darwin finches that were perched on the trees nearby. When we reached the bay the students rushed into the ocean where they body surfed in the waves. It didn't take long before our students started a great game of ultimate frisbee on the beach. On the walk back into town we watched a gorgeous setting sun throwing its warm rays over the entire town.

On our fifth day in the Galapagos we spent the morning at the Charles Darwin Research Station, learning about the giant tortoises of the Galapagos. These magnificent creatures are what gave the Islands their name. We were incredibly fortunate to get a glimpse of Lonesome George, the very last giant tortoise of his kind in the world. From the island of Pinta we jumped on our speedboats which took us to our final Island, Isabela.

After a long boat ride, we checked into our hotels just in time to take a walk around the beautiful town of Puerta Villamil, the only village on the island of Isabela. (Isabela is the biggest island in the Galapagos but most of its land is protected.) We stopped at a lagoon and we were fortunate to see three Galapagos flamingos feeding. From there, we strolled through the streets and hit the beach just after sunset. We enjoyed an amazing dinner at a local restaurant and returned to bed early in anticipation of an incredible day ahead.

The next day we set off to hike the Volcan de Sierra Negra. After an early breakfast we jumped into a bus and made our way up to a drop off point below the rim of the volcano. Breaking up into groups (Colby and Dr. Silverberg with one group while Rachel and Hannah leading the other), we began our hike. We trekked through the mist for a while but as soon as we reached the volcano's rim the clouds opened up and we were treated to an amazing view of the massive caldera. As we walked our guides pointed out endemic plants, trees and birds and explained how these massive volcanoes formed over millions of years. Hiking along the rim, we made our way to a large tree where the two groups reunited. We ate lunch together as Galapagos mocking birds and Darwin finches played about. The smaller Sierra Chica Volcano (on the back of Sierra Negra) was our next adventure on the way down. We hiked out over million year old lava formations and rock.

Our final day in the Galapagos was nothing short of spectacular. Some students swam with Galapagos penguins and sea lions and others explored the many lava rock islands surrounding the port. They saw marine iguanas of all sizes, blue footed boobies, pelicans, blue herons and penguins. The rest of the afternoon was spent finalizing On Assignment projects as well as taking advantage of the amazing biodiversity of Isabela.

Colby's Photography students walked the beach as hundreds of blue footed boobies passed over head en route to their feeding grounds. Hannah's Wildlife and Conservation students spent the afternoon conducting field research and observing marine wildlife. Rachel's Photography team explored the town and beaches until sunset. Dr. Silverberg wrapped up the day with an amazing lecture on biodiversity and evolution that included multiple photographs of our students throughout the trip.

Darwin first explored the Galapagos Islands in 1835 with an open mind and an unbelievable thirst for discovery. The participants of this National Geographic Student Expedition to Ecuador got a chance to share that experience. As Marcel Proust once said, "The true voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes". The students of this expedition have all learned to look at the world with a new perspective.

-Colby, Hannah, and Rachel

Mindo and beyond. . .

Life in Ecuador has been moving pretty fast! We finished our time in Mindo with a few activities that allowed the students to immerse themselves in Ecuadorian life and culture. Our group painted murals with local school children and helped to restore the central Mindo park, projects which allowed the students to give as much back to the community as they had gotten out of their experiences in the beautiful town.

In addition to working on their own On Assignment projects, the students had the opportunity to explore the Mariposal butterfly sanctuary on the outskirts of town. While Colby and Rachel's Photography teams worked on documenting Ecuadorian life, Hannah's Wildlife and Conservation students passed out surveys and performed environmental studies in the cloud forest.

En route from Mindo to Cotopaxi National Park, we made a stop at the Mitad de Mundo so the students could say that they have straddled the equator! It was a great opportunity to take photos and celebrate the invisible line that gave Ecuador its name!

By mid afternoon, we had arrived at the Hacienda de Porvenir on foothills of the Cotopaxi Volcano, ready for adventure. After a late (and delicious!) lunch we split the group into two-- one group ventured high into the Andean páramo on horseback (complete with gaucho attire!) and the other group worked on service projects; students hung signs to mark trails and prepped the soil for planting trees.

The next morning we awoke feeling more acclimatized to the 3600 meter altitude, and the groups switched activities from the day before. Then we were off to the Santa Rita campground, our home for the next two nights. After the students helped set up camp we enjoyed a delicious meal and fell asleep early in anticipation of the exciting day ahead.

The next morning we broke into our On Assignment teams and split up the day's activities. The Wildlife and Conservation team spent the morning flying through the air on zip lines while the Photography teams worked on community service projects. The students in the community service group cleared trails, planted trees, painted signs and cleaned up the area. We all feel proud of this National Geographic Student Expedition group and the role the students have played in environmental conservation.

Colby's Photography team took to the skies before lunch, but an Ecuadorian summer rain storm delayed the remaining team's opportunity to soar across the zip lines. All was not lost as the group came together and made the most out of a rainy afternoon! Early the next morning Rachel's Photography team jumped on the zip lines as the rest of the group cleaned up the camp site and prepared for a day of hiking on the Cotopaxi volcano.

Afterwards, we jumped on our buses and made our way to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. We arrived at the parking lot of the mountain--a whopping 4500m in altitude!--, broke into two teams and began our slow march up to the high hut (a 300m vertical rise). When we reached the hut we were treated to a spectacular view of the Andean landscape graced by clouds rolling off the mountains. It was an amazing feeling for all! After a quick scramble back down the mountain, our students spent an hour cleaning up trash that was littered around the parking lot.

We headed back to Quito in time to do our laundry, pack our bags and prepare for the Galapagos! Needless to say, all are excited for the beginning of our next adventure.

Goodbye for now!
Colby, Rachel & Hannah

Life in Mindo

After two days here in Mindo, we are happy to report that our students are enjoying all that the cloud forests of Ecuador have to offer. Our adventure began upon arrival. After a light lunch, we made our way to the Mindo River for a taste of river rafting, Ecuadorian style! With six large inner tubes tied together around a central tube we set out in groups of six with two river guides per group. We made our way down the chilly water, over thrilling rapids and past some amazing scenery. (See photo below!)

The next morning we began our day with a guided trek through part of the Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo National Reserve. With two guides leading the way, the students learned about different kinds of finches that are native to this area and about how the rich biodiversity of the Ecuadorian cloud forests works together to form an intricate ecosystem. A highlight of the hike was a stop at the Cascada Nambillo waterfall for a swim.

Colby & Rachel's Photography students are well on their way to forming their On-Assignment projects while working in conjunction with a partner. Throughout our time in Mindo, students have concentrated on applying their new knowledge of travel photography with their own ideas and interests within Ecuadorian culture, wildlife and architecture.

Hannah's Wildlife and Conservation students are focusing on a number of environmental issues facing the local wildlife including the effects of tourism as well as the ongoing problem of petrol pipelines running through preserved ecological areas of the country. The students met with local environmentalists who played key roles in protesting against the government's involvement in laying the pipelines.

Here in Mindo we have enjoyed a mix of both local and foreign cuisine. From Ecuadorian llapingachos to Venezuelan fritos to local pizzerias, the students are getting taste for all different types of food.

With only a few days remaining in Mindo there is still plenty of adventure and learning to be had!

All the best,
Colby, Rachel, and Hannah