Galapagos 201

A few tips for touring the Galapagos Islands…

• You are very close to the equator. This means the sun is closer. This means white guys like me burn to a crisp reeeeeal fast. Bring lots of sunscreen—once you’ve left port there is no way to buy it, and if you forget it and try to buy some once you arrive you’ll pay an arm and a leg

• The islands are volcanic, relatively recently popping above the surface of the ocean. There is not much in the way of flat, smooth ground. This, combined with the fact that about half of your landings will be “wet” (i.e. you hop out of the zodiac into knee-deep water on a beach), means proper shoes are crucial. Best option? Closed-toe amphibious sandals, like those made by Keen—they’ll be equally good for hopping out of the boat and hiking over sharp volcanic rock without getting your feet lacerated

• You will be living—and sleeping—on a boat for at least a few days if not a week. Many of the crossings are open ocean, and depending on the season some can be very rough. (I have a clear memory of most of the bar ending up on the floor at one point.) If you are prone to seasickness, or if you aren’t sure, or really no matter what, make sure you are prepared! Dramamine/Gravol anti-nausea meds are a good option, but the one my girlfriend found worked best for her was the Transderm-V patch . These are small round baind-aid looking things that you put behind your ear. Seriously, people were ready to offer her their luggage in trade for her stash once things got rough, and you cannot buy them there—bring ‘em from home. Also good to remember to take whatever you’ve got before you feel sick (8 hours in the case of the patch) . Once you turn green, it’s already too late.

Good Luck!