Bartolome & San Salvador Islands
I should try not to be too melancholic or sound too sad. You might be asking yourselves, “What? How can someone use the word ‘sad’ when exploring the Galápagos Islands with amazing weather, nice company, great sightings and onboard a ship with so much history, the National Geographic Polaris?” I would say, precisely for that reason – because it has been too perfect, and the week is over, and my time on board this ship is coming to an end.
It would have been 12 years next May, 12 years of my life sailing in the Galápagos onboard this blue-hulled ship. How many times did we anchor in front of Bartolome Island, looking as beautiful as this morning? How many crossings of the equator line, how many whales, dolphins, Mola molas have I spotted from the bridge? A ship is a home, and NG Polaris has definitely been a good home for me, and for many.
I am leaving Galápagos for a while, and when I come back, another great motor vessel will be taking the place of NG Polaris, the National Geographic Endeavour; this will be a new home, with new adventures to look forward to.
However today, I want to take this picture in my mind: light blue sky, the National Geographic Polaris in the foreground, Bartolome Island with its penguins and sea lions and young tuff in the background, smiling faces of our guests and crew on board adding magic and colour everywhere. It is a picture for my heart, of friendship, beauty and harmony with nature. There is a new year ahead, a new ship in my life, and new challenges to meet. But that’s how we grow up, how we learn, how we feel life is rich and inspiring.
Happy Holidays to everybody on this planet, on land or underwater!
I should try not to be too melancholic or sound too sad. You might be asking yourselves, “What? How can someone use the word ‘sad’ when exploring the Galápagos Islands with amazing weather, nice company, great sightings and onboard a ship with so much history, the National Geographic Polaris?” I would say, precisely for that reason – because it has been too perfect, and the week is over, and my time on board this ship is coming to an end.
It would have been 12 years next May, 12 years of my life sailing in the Galápagos onboard this blue-hulled ship. How many times did we anchor in front of Bartolome Island, looking as beautiful as this morning? How many crossings of the equator line, how many whales, dolphins, Mola molas have I spotted from the bridge? A ship is a home, and NG Polaris has definitely been a good home for me, and for many.
I am leaving Galápagos for a while, and when I come back, another great motor vessel will be taking the place of NG Polaris, the National Geographic Endeavour; this will be a new home, with new adventures to look forward to.
However today, I want to take this picture in my mind: light blue sky, the National Geographic Polaris in the foreground, Bartolome Island with its penguins and sea lions and young tuff in the background, smiling faces of our guests and crew on board adding magic and colour everywhere. It is a picture for my heart, of friendship, beauty and harmony with nature. There is a new year ahead, a new ship in my life, and new challenges to meet. But that’s how we grow up, how we learn, how we feel life is rich and inspiring.
Happy Holidays to everybody on this planet, on land or underwater!
