Galapagos: Of Course I Could Do It

By Mike Todd

Galapagos: Of Course I Could Do It outlines a trip through the Galapagos Archipelago, highlighting daily routines and difficulties experienced. It gives a broad outline of the flora and fauna, a smattering of history, and hopefully, incentive for those less able to give it a go.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris NZ
• Release date: Feb 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781514467121

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Mike Todd. 763732

ISBN:   Softcover   978-1-5144-6713-8

             EBook       978-1-5144-6712-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 02/12/2019

Xlibris

0800-443-678

www.xlibris.co.nz

Table Of Contents

Introduction

South America

Chapter 1

And so, to Galapagos

Chapter 2

Isla Baltra (South Seymour) and Isla Santa Cruz

Chapter 3

Cachalote at Sea to Santa Fe

Chapter 4

Santa Fe (Barrington Island)

Blue footed booby (Sula nebouxii)

Red-footed booby (Sula sula)

Nazca booby (Sula granti)

Chapter 5

San Cristobel

Chapter 6

Española (Hood) Island

Puerto Suarez

Chapter 7

Isla Floreana - Puerto Cormorant (Cormorant Point/ Port)

Devils Crown

Post Office Bay

Chapter 8

Santa Cruz

Chapter 9

Santiago (James Island)

Chapter 10

Genovesa

Chapter 11

Baltra and Home

Introduction

From my earliest years, I had an insatiable desire to see, experience and savour what the world has to offer. My father went from occupation to occupation approximately every two years, and my family accordingly moved from town to town throughout New Zealand. I became fiercely independent and frequently dreamed of running away to sea. The day I turned sixteen, I left home to join the Navy and so the desire to travel became a reality. During my time in the service of the Royal New Zealand Navy, I explored the Pacific and the Far East.

In 1982, the doctors diagnosed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma which is an aggressive form of cancer which affects the lymphatic system. I spent six months in the hospital receiving radiation treatment which, while eradicating cancer, damaged my spinal column. As a result, I lost some mobility and relied heavily on a walking stick. Upon leaving the hospital, no longer able to work in orchards (as I was before my diagnosis), I attempted to pursue a career in photography and design but found in those early days that I did not have the knowledge or the academic background to achieve a sustainable income. I was lucky enough to be employed teaching practical skills to people with varying levels of ability who had been unable to obtain employment or learn necessary life skills. In 1990 my partner Jan and I, now with a very young family, purchased a market garden property. At the same time, I established a landscaping and property maintenance business which culminated in my becoming an Advisor-Consultant in 2008.

I retired from landscaping and consultancy work in 2015 following spinal surgery. After a 30-year absence, I picked up my camera and photography became a significant part of my life again.

Despite my mobility and health issues, my desire to see the world never diminished.

I have now traveled extensively throughout Europe, Croatia, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, Botswana and latterly (2016) South