Over a year back, as I sailed away from the Galapagos islands on my way to the Marquesas, I tried to capture my thoughts about these islands below:
These islands in the sun
Sloping gently from ancient craters into clear waters. Shaped by fire and softened by delicate ferns – teeming with life in the air, water and on land.
Where boobies with sky blue feet dive for fish and frigates swoop down on scarce fresh water rinsing the salt off their wings. Darwin’s finches hop from branch to branch.
Where sea lions play and feed in water, even miles from shore and iguanas blend in the folds of the dark lava rocks. Giant tortoises gorge on prickly pear cactus.
Where rays and sharks glide gracefully through the blue, and large sea turtles feast on the sandy bottom. Small penguins dart after fish.
These islands in the sun
Full of life, perfectly adapted, they all belong here.
Now there is new life, a growing abundance of humans, a species evolved to dominate.
With families to feed, livelihoods to earn and curiosity to satisfy, they spread out with each new airport, dock, and pavement
As I tread on this beach, my footsteps on the sand strangely incongruous with those of the iguanas. I step around sea lions on concrete sidewalks where previously rocks lay. I try in vain to capture the wonder of these islands with my phone. Unfulfilled, I leave with a strong desire to return for more – to share with others.
But then I wonder – Do we really belong here?
These islands in the sun…
Sailing Jajabor 