02Oct 2013

Flashback Friday: The Galapagos islands in photos

On Flashback Fridays I reflect back on some past travels before I started this blog. Follow at #FlashbackFri.
Weird birds with blue feet, giant tortoises, dragons and menacing sharks – No, I am not talking about a mystical world. I am talking about a place that actually exists on earth. To be precise 926km west of continental Ecuador – The Galapagos Islands.

Ever since I heard about these mysterious islands during my evolution classes at high school I wanted to visit them. The Galapagos Islands have a vast amount of endemic species, which means that they don’t live anywhere else in the world. Most have adapted to life on the islands through evolution and you can therefore see all kinds of weird and wonderful creatures, from blue footed boobies (yes they are really called that), to frigate birds, giant tortoises, sea and land iguanas, sea lions, whales and so many more. So ten years after I first heard about the Galapagos Islands I finally had the chance to visit them as part of my Ecuador trip. I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking though:

Baby blue footed boobie

galapagos islands cruise blue footed boobie

Adult blue footed boobie

galapagos islands cruise guianas on street

Watch out for those sea iguanas randomly roaming the streets

Land iguana

Luckily this fella is a vegetarian

Getting up close to a giant tortoise

galapagos islands cruise giant turtoise ET

The Galapagos giant tortoise was Steven Spielberg’s inspiration to E.T.

galapagos islands cruise lonesome george

This was lonesome George, the last left of this particular species of tortoises. He sadly died last year, meaning his species is now extinct.

Have you ever been to the Galapagos Islands? What is the weirdest animal you have ever seen?

About Tammyonthemove

Tammy & Chris are a couple hailing from Germany and England, meaning between them they are efficient and polite, but unable to talk about football. Find out why they stopped pushing pens around the British civil service to travel the world on their blog.

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34 Thoughts on “Flashback Friday: The Galapagos islands in photos”

Joanne Joseph on October 2, 2013 at 10:53 pm said:

No, I have not had the privilege to visit the Galápagos Islands yet, but it is definitely on my wish list. I enjoyed seeing your pictures, especially the curious/hungry sea lion.
Joanne Joseph recently posted…Picture of the day – Falling leaf

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- Tammyonthemove on October 6, 2013 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Joanne! Glad you enjoyed the photos. He was so cheeky and eventually got some leftover fish heads from the vendor.
  
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Jo Carroll on October 3, 2013 at 1:57 pm said:

No, I’ve not been – and would love to. The monitor lizards on the islands off the east coast of Malaysia are pretty wierd!

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- Tammyonthemove on October 6, 2013 at 5:48 pm said:
  
  Just checked them on Google. They really are weird. 🙂
  
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Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans on October 4, 2013 at 12:16 am said:

I’ve never been to the Galapagos, but those blue footed boobies look so unique. And man, I sure wouldn’t want to run into a sea iguana while swimming at the beach!
Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans recently posted…Notes on Turkish Carpet Weavers

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- Tammyonthemove on October 6, 2013 at 5:47 pm said:
  
  Ha ha, they look scary don’t they?
  
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Jessica on October 4, 2013 at 4:45 pm said:

I’m so jealous! I’ve always wanted to visit the Galapagos! Something about all the Darwin associations makes this area so mysterious and fascinating for me. I can’t believe how brightly blue the birds’ feet are!
Jessica recently posted…A Tale of Two Towns: Magome and Tsumago

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- Tammyonthemove on October 6, 2013 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  It is really mysterious Jess and I loved those blue feet too! They are incredible, aren’t they?
  
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Tyanajones on October 7, 2013 at 8:00 pm said:

Wow..you have captured great photos..really amazing

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- TammyOnTheMove on October 8, 2013 at 10:45 am said:
  
  Thanks Tyana! Glad you enjoyed the photos.
  TammyOnTheMove recently posted…Flashback Friday: The Galapagos islands in photos
  
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Teri on October 7, 2013 at 8:10 pm said:

Amazing photos. I love the little creatures. We almost went to Galapagos this year. Time was not on our side. Sooner than!
Teri recently posted…A full cup of “Pura Vida”!

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- TammyOnTheMove on October 8, 2013 at 10:46 am said:
  
  Thanks Teri. We nearly didn’t go for budget reasons, but I am so glad we did. It was worth every penny.
  TammyOnTheMove recently posted…Flashback Friday: The Galapagos islands in photos
  
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Jimmy Dau on October 7, 2013 at 8:17 pm said:

I went last month and it was magical! Seeing albatrosses feeding their chicks was special as well as seeing giant tortoises in the wild
Jimmy Dau recently posted…Galapagos Islands Day 2 – Genovesa (Tower) Island and Charles Darwin Bay.

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- TammyOnTheMove on October 8, 2013 at 10:47 am said:
  
  Glad you got to go Jimmy. It is definitely one of the most special places I have ever been to.
  TammyOnTheMove recently posted…Flashback Friday: The Galapagos islands in photos
  
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Lunaguava on October 7, 2013 at 9:42 pm said:

A visit to the Galapagos islands has been on my wish list ever since I first read about HMS Beagle’s journey. The lizards in your photos look downright terrifying though – like something out of a mid-50’s Japanese monster movie. Nonetheless, would still fancy a visit. After all, what’s not to like in a place with so many boobies? (sorry, sorry…). Safe travels!
Lunaguava recently posted…Capture the Color 2013

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- TammyOnTheMove on October 8, 2013 at 10:49 am said:
  
  Ha ha, you can even buy T-Shirts there that say ‘I love boobies’. 🙂
  TammyOnTheMove recently posted…Flashback Friday: The Galapagos islands in photos
  
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Carla on October 10, 2013 at 7:02 pm said:

Lots of animals and a nice tune..All photos are so fabulous and full of adventure.. I must say it is your best trip and really enjoyed by exploring this post..I would really wish to visit these islands..

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- Tammyonthemove on October 11, 2013 at 11:35 am said:
  
  Thanks so much Carla. That means a lot!
  
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Tom @ Waegook Tom on October 10, 2013 at 9:40 pm said:

Now I’m not too big on nature, but I’d love to go on a trip to the Galapagos! If only to constantly giggle at the name Blue-Footed Boobie…
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently posted…What Am I Doing In England?

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- Tammyonthemove on October 11, 2013 at 11:36 am said:
  
  I was so tempted to buy a T-Shirt that said ‘I love boobies’ Tom. 🙂
  
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Andrea on October 12, 2013 at 9:48 pm said:

Wow – these animals are just amazing. Sad we didn’t get to Galapagos when we were in SA
Andrea recently posted…Houston Restaurants: Underbelly

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- Tammyonthemove on October 14, 2013 at 5:31 pm said:
  
  Gives you a good reason to go back Andrea! 🙂
  
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Agness on October 17, 2013 at 5:58 pm said:

Guys, I’m so so so jealous! The Galapagos Islands are on my bucket list and seeing these cute baby blue footed boobie just make me wanna go there right now!
Agness recently posted…Thessaloniki On Less Than $25 A Day

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- TammyOnTheMove on October 21, 2013 at 9:54 am said:
  
  I think they were my favourite animals actually. The baby was so cute!
  TammyOnTheMove recently posted…My Cambodia homestay experience
  
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Ayngelina on November 10, 2013 at 2:15 pm said:

Makes me miss the Galapagos!
Ayngelina recently posted…How to Make Pancetta in 30 Seconds

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- Tammyonthemove on November 11, 2013 at 1:20 pm said:
  
  I know, me too!
  
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Steph | DiscoveringIce.com on November 16, 2013 at 7:52 pm said:

Aww, so beautiful! I have always dreamed of visiting the Galapagos. So great that you were able to see Lonesome George before he passed away! The poor little thing…well very big thing!
Steph | DiscoveringIce.com recently posted…Photo of the Week: Diwali Celebrations in New Delhi, India

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- Tammyonthemove on November 17, 2013 at 5:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks Steph. I am really pleased that saw George actually. He was so cute!
  
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northierthanthou on November 18, 2013 at 9:55 am said:

Definitely digging the blue feet. …almost as much as the big tortoises.
northierthanthou recently posted…Damn the Science Exhibit; We’re Looking at Dioramas!

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- Tammyonthemove on November 18, 2013 at 9:57 am said:
  
  Agreed! How can you not adore those big blue feet? 🙂
  
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Shaun Hoobler on January 16, 2014 at 7:06 am said:

Beautiful photos! Gotta add the Galapagos islands in my destination list.
Shaun Hoobler recently posted…app dev secrets

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- Tammyonthemove on January 17, 2014 at 9:31 pm said:
  
  Thank you Shaun. Oh you definitely should. It is the most amazing place I have ever been to!
  
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Alex on January 27, 2014 at 5:21 am said:

What a nice experience, I cant wait to go there, so much diversity!! Look at those blue legs!!
Alex recently posted…Hack Your Airfare to Asia: Taiwan Edition

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- Tammyonthemove on January 27, 2014 at 12:13 pm said:
  
  I love those blue legs too. So cute, right?
  
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