I’m converted... the Galapagos Islands are wild!
Through playing rugby I have had some truly amazing moments: winning my first England cap, running out at Twickenham, taking part in the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups, enjoying numerous league and cup successes during Bath’s glorious decade, travelling extensively and experiencing many different cultures.
They were all thrilling and I can now put another one right up there with them which has nothing to do with rugby – a seven-day Silversea Expeditions cruise to the Galapagos Islands.
The islands are a province of Ecuador and, after a couple of nights in the capital Quito, we met our companions for the cruise on an early flight to Baltra, one of the islands. As we transferred in a Zodiac inflatable to our cruise ship, the Silver Galapagos, there was a huge splash in the sea behind me and fellow travellers shouted: ‘Wow… did you see that shark?’ Typically I missed it – but the moment only added to the surge of excitement I felt as I boarded the ship.
‘This is not your typical cruise – this is an expedition of the Galapagos Islands,’ boomed Israel, the tour’s lead naturalist, in his welcome speech.
The days that followed were packed with activities as we visited the archipelago’s many islands. Nature walks focused on the species endemic to the particular island we were visiting, so we saw red-footed boobies and frigate birds on Genovesa Island; land iguanas and blue-footed boobies on Seymour Norte Island; marine iguanas and Galapagos sea lions on Rabida Island; giant tortoises, Darwin’s finches and penguins on San Cristobal Island; and Galapagos hawks on Espanola Island. On the latter, watching the courting dance of the waved albatross was one of my highlights of the trip.
The knowledge and passion of the guides brought it all to life, and because we were in groups of no more than a dozen, it was a highly personalised adventure.
After a career spent enjoying the thrills and spills of rugby, I never thought I’d be captivated by two-hour nature walks!
We also snorkelled and kayaked with sea lions, turtles, white and black-tip sharks, and an abundance of marine life.
Being so close and witnessing them in their natural habitat amid glorious sunshine, beautiful sandy beaches and a rugged mountainous landscape was breathtaking.
From the moment we arrived at Quito airport and were greeted by the warm smile of Nadia, the Silversea representative, until we were dropped off at Baltra airport for our flight home, the Silversea team were first rate.
And with just 98 guests aboard the luxurious Silver Galapagos, this was an exclusive and personalised experience. I heard my fellow travellers variously describe their adventure as fantastic, superb, awesome, unbelievable, amazing and beautiful – I couldn’t have put it better myself.
Silver Galapagos departs on a seven-day voyage from Baltra to San Cristobal on June 17, 2017. Prices start from €7,229pp including accommodation, return flights, transfers, two-night pre-cruise hotel, immigration processing and park entrance fees. For more information visit silversea.com