Greetings! I'm back! I just arrived to Colombia after a 9-day visit to Ecuador with my brother Andy and dad. Visiting the Galápagos was an epic life experience. The archipelago is a combination of naturalist dreamscape, Mars, underwater universe, and a very, very Planet Earth. As I nearly always feel, I was witness to a place and situation. It was a huge deal personally to be standing there.

The Galápagos Islands are both fascinating and fragile, and I witnessed it all. I spent 2 days on- ground and 3 days in the water scuba diving. Here are a few above-ground shots. We're working on the scuba photos for a future post.

This is perhaps the most famous view of the Galápagos. It took us about 2 hours to arrive to Bartolomé Island from the central island of Santa Cruz. It was the first destination on our trip. The whole island looked like Mars (only with Oxygen) … — This is perhaps the most famous view of the Galápagos. It took us about 2 hours to arrive to Bartolomé Island from the central island of Santa Cruz. It was the first destination on our trip. The whole island looked like Mars (only with Oxygen) but was contrasted with these deep and rich greens. I believe this contrast is part of what makes the Galápagos so fascinating. You might expect nothing to be alive there at all. Instead, it's home to an incredible number of endemic species (that can't be found elsewhere in the world) including reptiles, mammals, birds and marine life.

One of these fascinating endemic species is the Giant Galápagos Tortise. We stayed on a coffee plantation where many hung out. I saw 10 just in my time walking around the property. They are easy to capture on camera, but it's harder to get one with … — One of these fascinating endemic species is the Giant Galápagos Tortise. We stayed on a coffee plantation where many hung out. I saw 10 just in my time walking around the property. They are easy to capture on camera, but it's harder to get one with its neck out.

This tortise is likely over 100 years old. They are easy to capture on camera, but it's less easy to get them with their necks out.

The ever-famous Blue Footed Booby doing a mating dance. This photo and the one below were both taken by my dad. He wants everyone to know he used a Samsung camera to take them.  We also saw two of the famous Galápagos Penguins, but I failed to … — The ever-famous Blue Footed Booby doing a mating dance. This photo and the one below were both taken by my dad. He wants everyone to know he used a Samsung camera to take them. We also saw two of the famous Galápagos Penguins, but I failed to capture them on my camera.

A contemplative gaze across some salt flat areas on the island of Santa Cruz.

The travel crew. This was taken on the way to Bartolomé Island.