Wish You Were Here: Exploring the Galapagos

A Concord reader's recent adventures in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador included some amusing encounters, as well as spectacular landscapes and aquatic adventures.

Hiking Kauai’s Napali Coast, sightseeing in Croatia and swimming — yes, swimming! — in Antarctica — Bay Area News Group readers have enjoyed some spectacular vacations here and abroad in recent years. And they’re shared their adventures and travel tips along the way so you, too, can get out there and, say, explore the temples of Thailand or road-trip through Tuscany.

Now a Concord reader is sharing her adventures on the Galapagos Islands. Read on for details, then find more travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.

Wish You Were Here

ECUADOR: Concord resident Sylvia Rodriguez’s recent trip to Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos archipelago offered adventures of every variety, including a few amusing ones. “Chilling with a seal is a typical experience when lounging anywhere near water,” Sylvia says. “Swimming pools that are off limits to the public do not deter a lazy seal.”

“The Galapagos is an ocean paradise for divers. If you don’t dive, there are many other options, such as snorkeling and island hopping — and (it’s) home to the world’s biggest turtles.”

The Galapagos felt very safe, even as a solo traveler, she says. “You can stroll the town into the evening and not worry about a thing except which place to stop for happy hour.”

TRAVEL TIPS: “The land/dive package was provided by Galapagos Travel Center. Off-island excursions were easily accessible: A guide would pick you up at the hotel to take you to the pier or to the animal sanctuaries. This is a must for (any) nature lover’s bucket list.”

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Join the fun! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures — local, domestic or international — to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow readers go there, too.