Once we arrived in the Galapagos, we were told we had to make at least one visit to another island. Everyone kept talking about Isabela and how beautiful it was. When locals tell us to do something, it's rare we turn down their advice. They said it was easy. We just had to buy a ticket to Isabela for the morning. Done.
We showed up at the dock at 7 am. First we had to get on a water taxi which then took us out to the boat. Onto the boat we went, all chipper for the adventure that awaited us. Little did we know...
We showed up at the dock at 7 am. First we had to get on a water taxi which then took us out to the boat. Onto the boat we went, all chipper for the adventure that awaited us. Little did we know...
We were sitting inside, closer to the front. I was stoked. I would be warm and not out back in the wind and getting splashed by the waves.
One of the workers started handing out black plastic bags. I thought, oh that's sweet...it's to keep our stuff dry. But me? I wouldn't need that. I was inside! Literally everyone took a plastic bag except Kate and I. It's cool.
One of the workers started handing out black plastic bags. I thought, oh that's sweet...it's to keep our stuff dry. But me? I wouldn't need that. I was inside! Literally everyone took a plastic bag except Kate and I. It's cool.
Then we started out into the open ocean. It was then that I started to piece this together. I knew we had two hours on this boat...which meant we had a long ways to travel, which also meant hello open ocean and giant, huge waves. I finally realized what we were up against.
The waves. You guys. They were massive. And like I said, we were up front. So we were catching air with every wave we hit. Kate and I spent more time in the air than we did sitting on the bench. Within twenty minutes, I realized what the plastic bags were for. Puke. Five people had already used them. GROSS. Kate and I kept looking at each other rolling our eyes. WHY DID NO ONE TELL US ABOUT THE BOAT RIDE OF DEATH?
Across from us was a family with two boys. The mom was literally praying the whole time. And crying. And holding onto her husband. Everyone in the boat was closing their eyes. As if they were trying to sleep. But please. No one was actually asleep on that thing. Every few minutes, a big wave would jolt the whole boat and everyone would open their eyes and wince in pain...look around to see if anyone had flown overboard and then close their eyes again as if that was going to make it more peaceful.
The waves. You guys. They were massive. And like I said, we were up front. So we were catching air with every wave we hit. Kate and I spent more time in the air than we did sitting on the bench. Within twenty minutes, I realized what the plastic bags were for. Puke. Five people had already used them. GROSS. Kate and I kept looking at each other rolling our eyes. WHY DID NO ONE TELL US ABOUT THE BOAT RIDE OF DEATH?
Across from us was a family with two boys. The mom was literally praying the whole time. And crying. And holding onto her husband. Everyone in the boat was closing their eyes. As if they were trying to sleep. But please. No one was actually asleep on that thing. Every few minutes, a big wave would jolt the whole boat and everyone would open their eyes and wince in pain...look around to see if anyone had flown overboard and then close their eyes again as if that was going to make it more peaceful.
Every part of my body was rattled. I could feel my brain shaking inside my skull. It was a living hell for anyone with motion sickness. Not only that, we were forced to wear life jackets...which we all know isn't a good sign. I couldn't help but think how many times these tiny boats had capsized in the open ocean. They were in no way fit to face the swell.
As far as how we actually survived, as did everyone else, I'm still confused. And even more so, how have they not figured out a system for island hopping that didn't make everyone lose their insides?
Either way--we made it to Isabela safely. And we also looked at each other and said this better be worth it. Hell, we would MAKE IT worth it. And we did.
As far as how we actually survived, as did everyone else, I'm still confused. And even more so, how have they not figured out a system for island hopping that didn't make everyone lose their insides?
Either way--we made it to Isabela safely. And we also looked at each other and said this better be worth it. Hell, we would MAKE IT worth it. And we did.