Archipiélago de Colón (aka. Galapagos Islands)

This week I hope to get you - all my loyal blog followers - up to speed on my last few months so get ready for it! It’s been an exciting time and I’m just itching to share it with all of you!

And I’ll start with last month where I was in the Galapagos Islands! Yes, you just read that right. (Here’s where you open a new internet screen and check where the Galapagos Islands are.) It shouldn't surprise you that it took us about 40 hours door-to-door travelling from Belgium. That included one overnight stay in the Guayaquil airport.

You might be surprised to know (like I was) that there are over 18 islands in the Galapagos but only 4 are inhabited. A great majority of the islands, 97%, are national park; and on the remaining 3% there are only about 23,000 people. I’ve put a little map for you below and circled the islands we were able to go to, some are close and only a 20 min shuttle boat ride from the Baltra airport to Santa Cruz – our “home”. And some are far away with a big ocean we never could have made it there on the transport boats.

The islands are BEAUTIFUL each one is so unique and different. It was an amazing trip and there are so many pictures I could share with you all (over 450!) - but I won’t. I think it's better to just share with you some of my favorite pics of the flora & fauna and the people...

North Seymour Island and a marine iguana

Tortoise at the Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz Island

The beach at Isabela Island

Blue-footed Boobies on North Seymour Island

Sea lion pup on North Seymour

Owner of an organic coffee plantation on Santa Cruz Island

Flamingos on Isabela Island

Traditional Ecuadorian dancers at the Ms. Puerto Ayora pageant on Santa Cruz Island

Me on Bartolome Island, Pinnacle rock in the distance



My fantastic (and last) MBA team! Sean, Nick, Kelly, me, Paula, Gert, Tara & Iulia

While we were on the islands we volunteered with Galapagos ICE, a USA based NGO that is dedicated to improving healthcare and education for residents of the Galapagos Islands. Working daily with Emily, the President & Founder, and Eric, the Executive Director, refueled me after my long MBA year. Now I feel like I'm ready to get back to the real world! Or almost. ;-)

Coming soon another post...the final days of MBA and graduation! :)

See you soon!
-Annie