Galapagos Sperm Whales Have Specialized Family Cultures and Dialects

Sperm Whales and Calf from CBC News
(Chris Bangs/Guam Variety News/Associated Press)

We always want to be careful not to anthropomorphise those in the animal kingdom, whether it involves emotions, behaviors or language. After all, animals are not human and we can’t project emotions or thoughts onto them under the assumption that they think and communicate as we do. That said, we have learned from our own household pets how to read their “language” of gestures, looks and sounds and, from these, reach conclusions about whether they are hungry or want affection, are scared or tired or content. 

Even those observations, however, tell us nothing about how animals communicate with others of their own species. Is there a universal or even regional language that animals of a given species use with others of that same species? Scientists study language and other aspects of animal behavior all the time, forming hypotheses about what an animal's behaviors and vocalizations mean, if anything at all. 

Eco-Tourism and Ethical/Responsible Travel – An Essential Combination

What is it about traveling that brings out the best in some and the worst in others? I'm not entirely sure but I've observed that the happiest, most relaxed of my guests (whether at the hotel or on a cruise ship) are those who come with the desire to immerse themselves in the experience. In most cases, these are the very same guests who have done research about our surroundings and our culture so that they are not surprised and they understand our basic customs and even our economies, just as we (the hosts if you will) have studied theirs. The result is mutual respect and the willingness and ability to learn from one another, enhancing everyone's time and experience. This, combined with a commitment to the environment and conservation, is central to the concept known as "ethical travel."

Anais Nin is credited with saying, “We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.” Responsible travelers not only seek, but touch, others in a conscious and special way. They leave behind a special footprint, not one that harms or impacts the environment, but one that leaves a lasting and positive impression on those around them.

Frequently Asked Questions: What Should I Pack for my Galapagos Trip?

Packing for Galapagos can be something of an art form depending upon how long you are staying and some of your personal preferences. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind as you get started:


Know how your day is likely to be arranged on a typical Galapagos cruise. Your day will generally be:
  - breakfast
   -a land-based activity, usually a hike but sometimes in Santa Cruz or        San Cristobal

   - lunch
   - snorkeling
   - another hike
   - a briefing and dinner

Frequently Asked Questions: How Much Should I Tip on a Galapagos Cruise Ship

This is the first of a series of blog posts in which I will focus on frequently asked questions about travel to Galapagos. Of all the questions I get, the most common is, "Should I tip on the cruise ship and, if so, how much?"

It might appear that, as a guide, I have a conflict of interests. So, when directly asked "How much?" by a cruise ship guest, I typically say something to the effect, "We always appreciate a tip and the amount is up to you." 

The truth is that the crew and guides on cruise ships usually do get tipped and rely on tips to supplement their income. Galapagos is a very expensive place to live; many things cost three times more than on the mainland. But, cruise ship salaries of guides and crew do not reflect that economic reality. This might be something to keep in mind when tipping.

Galapagos and Beyond: Tortoise Population Recovery is a World-wide Effort

Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise

Our giant land-based endemic Galapagos Tortoises are a “must see” feature for most Galapagos visitors. Giant tortoises and the Galapagos Islands are, in many ways, synonymous, particularly when you consider that our islands are named in their honor. When the first explorers came to these islands and saw the hundreds of thousands of saddle back giant tortoises, they named the islands to reflect their discovery as the word “galapagos” means saddle in Spanish.

Tagus Cove Graffiti Reminds Us of Plundering Pirates

Of course, history now tells us that the same people who first came here and became so enamored, later destroyed the very tortoise population that intrigued them from the beginning. Pirates and other seafarers took tortoises by the hundreds, and even thousands, and threw them into the holds of their ships to eat, use for oil, and take home for trading. Many of the tortoises died on their journey, only to be thrown back into the sea.  Mankind also was a further catalyst for the reduction and extinction of the giant tortoise population when we introduced non-endemic species such as goats and rats to the islands. These predators soon attacked and ate the hatching tortoises.