Ecuador
Our flight through Ecuador took us to historic cities, impressive Andean landscapes, volcanoes and special encounters between the highlands and the Pacific coast.
San Cristóbal Galápagos – where the animals rule the island
You can reach Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island's small capital, from Santa Cruz by speedboat – but there's also the option of taking an island hopper. "San Cristóbal is the Galápagos island where nature and everyday life blend particularly closely. While Santa Cruz is more heavily influenced by tourism and Isabela impresses primarily with its volcanoes, San Cristóbal offers a unique experience..."
The Galápagos marine iguana – a dragon that sneezes salt
Anyone seeing a marine iguana for the first time in the Galápagos Islands might almost think a small dinosaur had just crawled out of a volcano. With its black, spiky back, powerful claws, flattened tail, and a head often framed by a white salt crust, it's not exactly pretty. It looks like a small dragon—but it's a vegetarian. And that's precisely what makes it...
In love with blue feet: Our encounter with the Boobies
Blue-footed boobies... The locals affectionately call these charming birds "Boobies." The English name "booby" actually comes from the Spanish word "bobo," which means something like "foolish" or "clumsy." The name originated because the birds are not very shy on land and appear somewhat awkward even from a distance. With their bright blue feet and inquisitive gaze, blue-footed boobies look...
Isabela Island in the Galápagos: Volcanoes, giant tortoises & wild nature
Isabela is by far the largest island in the Galápagos. Its distinctive shape, seen from above, resembles a seahorse. It was formed by the merging of several volcanoes, some of which are still active today. Despite its size, it has only a few thousand inhabitants. The center of island life is Puerto Villamil on the south coast – a relaxed coastal town with sandy streets, small shops, and more.
Peace, nature and giant tortoises everywhere – the giants of evolution
Anyone visiting the Galápagos Islands will sooner or later encounter their most famous inhabitants: the Galápagos giant tortoises. Their size and shell shape vary slightly from island to island – a detail that later became important for Charles Darwin's research. They are arguably the most recognizable symbol of the Galápagos Islands – stoic, calm, and impressively ancient. They were easiest to spot on Santa Cruz Island...
The most elegant fishermen of the Galápagos Islands.
The pelicans of the Galápagos Islands are an integral part of daily life on the islands. They are especially prevalent in the small harbors and along the beaches – often just a few meters away. With a wingspan of up to 2 meters, brown pelicans are among the largest seabirds in the Galápagos. Weight: approx. 2–5 kg. Even in the early morning, the pelicans circle above the small...