 | The Galápagos: A Wildlife Sanctuary Like No Other
| July 1, 2009
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| Explore in the footsteps of Darwin
| Standing on the bow of your yacht as you approach the Galápagos, an archipelago 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, it’s easy to imagine the wonder and excitement Darwin must have felt back in 1835 when he first sailed the same waters aboard the HMS Beagle. Even from afar, the islands’ crystalline water, soft sand beach and wind-swept volcanic rock terrain is eye-popping. Up close, hundreds of marine iguanas pepper the rocky coastline. Colonies of sea lions carpet the beach. Herds of giant tortoises (many well over 100 years old) wallow in rain pools, frigate birds with 6-foot wingspans soar overhead, and warm-water penguins dart beneath the water’s surface. Virtually predator-free, the Galápagos is one of the only places in the world where you can walk freely among vast numbers of exotic animals and observe them as Darwin once did, going about their business, seemingly unaware of your presence. |
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 | Boobies, Iguanas, Giant Turtles and The macarena
| ALA Owner Dan Austin on his recent Galápagos Adventure with ALA Partner, Ecoventura
It’s always easy to talk me into a tropical trip. When I got a calllast March asking if I would be interested in joining a group oftravelers to the Galápagos in June, it was a slam-dunk “YES!” Add thefact that it was going to be a special teen/parent trip arranged by ourfriend Doris Welsh of Ecoventura and would include five graduating highschool seniors, and it was virtually a no-brainer. I’d been stressingabout putting together an epic celebratory trip for my own 18 year old“soon to be graduate” son, Andy. This was the perfect solution. When I told Andy we'd have several teen girls along, he was sold in a heartbeat.
Read more about Dan's Galápagos Adventure...
View Dan's Galápagos Adventure in Pictures...
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 | A galapagos moment i'll never forget
| By Travel Writer Georgia Hunter Standing on the rocky shore of Fernandina island, snapping photos ofa family of sunning sea lions, I’m amazed at how seemingly unawarethese sleek mammals are of my presence. As I turn to continue on myway, I notice a pup – he must have been only a month or two old –staring at me with big, brown eyes. “Hi!” I whisper, delighted that thecutest of the lot has decided to give me his attention. The pup bobshis head and then, to my amazement, waddles towards me. I freeze,remembering our guide Pablo's words: “Don’t touch the wildlife, let thewildlife touch you.” Should I move? Will he bite? He doesn’t look mean.I decide to stand perfectly still.
Click Hereto find out what happens next... |
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| |  For the second year in a row, Austin-Lehman Adventures was listed among the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. We are very excited to be ranked 13th out of 200 top companies and 3rd in the luxury category!
Travel Moment Contest: This month's winner of a $100 ALA Travel Voucher is Linda Shorey of Harrisburg, PA. Click here to read her submission about biking in Tuscany. Congrats Linda!
Click here to submit your favorite Travel Moment and be entered to win the next $100 ALA Travel Voucher.
In the next Travelogue:
An Exciting Announcement from ALA! |
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| | AUSTIN-LEHMAN ADVENTURES FEATURED RECIPE | | There's a reason why our guests rave about our food. Whether served campfire-side or at a 5-star restaurant, our artfully prepared local eats are sinfully delicious! | Local Bites: Humitas
Trip: Galapagos Wildlife Sanctuary
|  | | Method: | - Remove kernels from the ear and grind into a corn meal.
- Melt butter in frying pan.
- In a mixing bowl combine melted butter, cornmeal, cheese, salt, flour and eggs.
- Wash the cornhusks and place a spoonful of mixture in the center of each husk. Fold husk over the mixture.
- Place in a pot and steam for 45 minutes.
| | View all of our Local Bites recipes here! |
| Ingredients
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| - 3 cups fresh grated corn meal | | - 3 Tbs butter | | - 2 Tbs grated cheese | | - 1/2 tsp salt | | - 1/2 Tbs flour | | - 2 eggs | | - 9 corn husks |
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Inspiring Active Bodies and Minds Since 1985 |
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