Galapagos

Whale Shark
When you cease to point vigorously at every six-foot hammerhead shark in an attempt to get others attention, because you see them so often, you know you are in the Galapagos.  These shy creatures appear briefly, making their presence known by their dark outline on the edge of your vision and then dissapear just as quickly into the blue.  Playful seals, curious sea turtles, magnificent black and white spotted eagle rays, dolphin, and most exciting, two 40-foot whale sharks, we had an amazing week of diving in the Galapagos aboard the Humbolt Explorer. 

Spotted Eagle Ray

After 15 hours of cruising away from the main cluster of the Galapagos Islands, we reached the islands of Wolf and Darwin (another 4 hours from Wolf), which were our main diving destinations.  The islands themselves are protected by the government and were swarming with birds and seals.   Large male frigate birds with their bright red throats puffed out to woo the females would amusingly grab a smaller blue footed booby bird, swing it around by its feet to make the booby throw up its most recent meal which would then be consumed by the frigate.  But it was the vast number of animals that you can see underwater that brought us out to these two spots.  

One of the highlights was being out in the blue, surrounded by an large school of smaller fish, then looking to my left to see an enormous shadow emerge into a 40-foot pregnant whale shark coming directly towards me.  It is very difficult to hear anything from fellow divers underwater, but somehow the dive master heard my screams of excitment, and he was able to bang his "cool animal sighting" clanker to alert the others.  The whale shark, which is a filter feeder and feeds on krill and plankton, slowly cruised by, seemingly unfazed by our presence.  Being in the water with huge animals is exhilarating. 

Our days consisted of four dives throughout the day, starting at 6:30, with eating, reading, conversations, and sleeping intermixed.  It was fabulous.  The week flew by, much like this entire year has flown by.

Mom and I have now returned to the US and thus bringing my year of travels to a close.  It seems surreal to reflect back on the places I have been, the people I have met, and all of the things I have experienced.  I have a feeling it is going to be pretty difficult to get back into the "real world"!  My plan is to move out West come August.  On that note, I am looking for a job!  So if anyone knows of a teaching, photography, coaching, or publications position that might be available, please let me know!!! 

My goal of this year was to explore places in the world that I have never been and to continue to live with intention.  I want to end this blog in the same way I started...

Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Continue to learn.
Appreciate your friends.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
- Mary Anne Radmacher

As our guide in the Amazon said, "...and this is just the beginning!"