Slow Dancing in the Galapagos Islands, 2001

A Photo-Diary by Bryan Walls

9/16/2001

The trip started on September 16, 2001, the Sunday following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center buildings and Pentagon on 9/11. All air traffic was closed after the attack, and was just starting back in the weekend.

I arrived at the airport in Huntsville at about 5:30 AM thanks to my dear friend Stacey. Checking luggage wasn't a big deal, but getting through security was a bit harder than normal. My flight was delayed, but I got to DFW in plenty of time.

The next flight was delayed in loading, and then we spent about 1.5 hours sitting on the plane until they figured out there was a sensor error due to the light plane (no cargo was allowed, and they weren't used to flying so light).

We arrived in Miami well after the scheduled departure time, but fortunately that plane was delayed, too. I did an OJ run to the proper gate in time -- only to find out that there were two more delays.

That flight was uneventful, and the plane had a lot of dancers. It was great to get to the Hotel Oro Verde. Seemed a very classy place, but I didn't get to try any of the amenities besides the bed.

9/17/2001

The Oro Verde had a wonderful buffet breakfast. We left there for the airport, flew to Baltra airport, and took a bus to the bay. There we boarded the Corinthian via Panga.

My two roommates, Deanna Rutman and Keith Cornett had to cancel. I got switched to a double, but all to myself. It has been a little bit lonely.

Our first trip ashore was on the North Shore of Santa Cruz at Bachus. We saw lots of Sally Lightfoot crabs, a flamingo, Willets, wimbros, and yellow warblers. Also, several dead jellyfish were on the beach.