None of us gets enough time on this planet.

This is a fact we must recognize, but never dwell on for too long. If we do, it means we’re not out making the most of the short time we do have.

I will quote the modern philosopher here, one Mr. Dylan: “He not busy being born is busy dying.”

But, with such a big world out there to explore, so many people to meet and wonders to behold, it can be hard to know where to start. Fear not, we have a few suggestions, based on over 40 years of hearing “ooohs” and “ahhhhs” from all the friends we’ve taken to various destinations.

Whip out your “bucket list,” and consider adding all of these (at the top):

The Grand Canyon — This is more than just a national park. Since John Wesley Powell and company made that first trip through the Big Ditch, this marvel of nature has captivated the imagination of millions, all around the world. It has a powerful effect on people that my words will never convey. The rock, the river, the solitude, the splendor — very few places will leave you wondering about creation and your own sense of purpose like this place.

Machu Picchu — Six centuries ago, the Inca ruled an empire from 8,000 feet above sea level, in a city built along perilous cliffs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will take you back in time, not just to Peru. You’ll marvel at how such a magnificent citadel could go “forgotten” by the world until the turn of the 20th century. And, need we add about experiencing the Andean culture, and rafting and zip lining in the Amazon?

Middle Fork of the Salmon River — The Frank Church Wilderness is the largest such protected area in the continental U.S. Through this pristine Idaho wilderness, there runs 100 miles of river, through granite canyons, alpine forest and grasslands. In those miles, you’ll find 100 sets of rapids, as well as Native American history, pioneer homesteads and a menagerie of wildlife. This is a bucket list item many people don’t even know they’re missing. Don’t be one of them.

Galápagos Islands — When you’re older and telling the stories to the great-grandkids, make sure you’ve got one in the arsenal about the blue-footed boobies, the lava lizards, and your face-to-face encounter with a penguin. Be sure you can explain how you walked in Darwin’s footsteps observing the amazing creatures found nowhere else on earth, and how you donned a mask and snorkel and went where Darwin never could. Don’t forget to tell them how you loved the sea kayaking, and the sea lions you could almost pet from the bow of the sailboat. “Ah, Ecuador,” you could tell them with a satisfied sigh.

Tatshenshini River — Here is another of the few places in the world that time forgot. Let us show you a slice of 27 million acres of Alaskan-Canadian wilderness. We’ll crawl across glacial moraines and sit beneath frozen waterfalls. We’ll raft this milky glacial river pondering the towering mountain ranges on either side. Arriving in Alsek Bay, we’ll try not to be intimidated by icebergs as big as houses, just like we did with the moose and grizzly bears we saw.

Rio Futaleufu — If your bucket list is rife with river trips, this one better be on it. “The Fu” is known in the whitewater world as one of the premier runs. This is heart-pounding class IV and V rafting in unmatched Patagonian terrain. Add to the boating some hiking, climbing, rappelling and horseback riding, and you’re talking about the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll be able to check both Argentina and Chile off your life’s travel list with this one, too.

Zambezi River — Things you’ll say after: “I thought it was already Class V rafting, but then we saw the hippos … I never knew an impala wasn’t a car until my safari in Botswana … From the helicopter, looking at the Batoka Gorge, it was as though the earth had cracked open and the water of Africa was rushing in to fill it … I learned it was one of the ‘7 Wonders of the World’ when we launched our rafts in the mist at the foot of Victoria Falls …” Make sure your bucket list includes rafting on at least 6 continents, and add the Zambezi.

Have you done any of these trips? Chime in in the comments to let people know I’m not exaggerating.

Which trip is most intriguing to you, if you’ve never been on any of them? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Interesting, I’d never heard that response before.

I suspect if one tires easily of swimming and snorkeling with playful sea lions, turtles, rays, eels, sharks, iguanas and countless fish, or if the 29 endemic species of birds, such as the Galápagos penguin and hawk, flightless cormorant, and the gray lava gull aren’t intriguing, then the Galápagos Archipelago might not be a place of interest.   (Did I mention fields of wandering giant tortoises and the native populations of blue footed boobies, Nazca (masked) boobies, waved albatrosses, magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans?) 

Are the islands volcanic?  Yes.  Boring?  No way!  Some of the younger islands resemble moonscapes.  Others, such as Santa Cruz where the Charles Darwin Research Center is located, are lush and colorful.  All islands are host to a series of wildlife, bird-life and sea life, many unique to their specific island.  There are 13 major islands in the Galápagos, 5 of which are inhabited, including Santa Cruz, Baltra, San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Maria (aka Floreana).  The other islands are uninhabited, but are visited by tourists.  The islands are located approximately 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador.

The conversation with my co-worker gave me pause to think.  I had never known anyone to think of the Galápagos as a waste of a good vacation.  So, in his honor, I came up with a variety of reasons to visit the Galápagos Islands:

10.  If it’s good enough for Prince Charles and Camilla, it’s good enough for you… According to a February 13th Telegraph article, “The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit the Galápagos Islands as part of a tour of South America.  Their royal highnesses’ visit is timed particularly to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Darwin, the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book “On the Origin of Species” and the 50th anniversary of the Galapagos National Park."

9.  Why go now?  Any time is a good time to visit.  I had thought about experiencing the Galápagos for years… and it just so happened it was economically feasible, as some companies were willing to negotiate a bit on their prices.  Mid-winter, mid-financial uncertainty certainly helped.

8.  Sandy beaches, sunny skies, warm weather.  Need I say more?

7. The Galápagos Islands are a photographer’s dream.  Unique landscapes and exotic, fearless wildlife = outstanding images for photographers of any skill level. 

6.Snorkeling in the Galápagos is like nothing you’ve ever experienced.  Even if you’ve never snorkeled before – this is a great place to start.  The sea life is fearless, and the sea lions are often playful and will swim right up to you.  Imagine swimming with dozens of turtles as a penguin dives past and a reef shark passes under you.

5.  Fearless wildlife.  At every turn you need to watch where you step.  I wonder what would have happened if one of us had landed on an iguana’s tail?  The only creatures that darted away from humans were the Sally Lightfoot crabs.  Who can blame them though?  They kill and eat one another.

4.  Lonesome George needs the company.  He is the last known individual of the Pinta Island Tortoise.  The Charles Darwin Research Station, where Lonesome George lives, is well worth a visit.  It is operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation on Santa Cruz Island.  Over a hundred scientists, educators, volunteers, research students and support staff from all over the world conduct scientific research and environmental education for conservation. One of their many projects includes finding suitable mates for George.

3.  Unique sites. You’ll see rare species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else on earth.  It’s a chance to see for yourself what inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

2.  Mail a letter from Post Office Bay on Isla Floreana and see if it does indeed arrive, hand delivered, to your friend or loved one’s doorstep.  Post Office Bay was long a favorite site of visitors including pirates, whalers and early settlers.  Leaving letters behind in a wooden barrel, other sailors and whalers returning home took it with them.  The tradition still continues, though for tourists, not pirates.

1.  Blue footed Boobies. 

Check out all of O.A.R.S.Galápagos vacation options, as well as trips offered by their partners in the Adventure Collection - a group of 10 of the most reputable adventure travel companies in the world.
 

CHILE:
Futaleufú River Multi-Sport:  Nov 29; Dec 5, 12, 26, 28

ECUADOR:
Ecuador Multi-Sport:  November 16, 30; December 21, 28

FIJI:
Highlands-to-Islands:  December 6

Upper Navua Gorge:  Year-round Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

‘luva:  Year-round Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays

GALÁPAGOS:
Multi-Sport:  Nov 22, 29; Dec 6, 13, 20 (Last Chance for our land-based itinerary!)

Sea Kayak the Enchanted Islands; Dec 12, 26

Galapagos Naturalist Sailing:  December 19, 26 (additional dates available upon request)

MEXICO:

Sea of Cortez Island Hopping:  October 4, 25; November 8

Sea Kayaking the Baja Coast:  October 11; November 1, 15

Sea Kayaking and camping on Espiritu Santo Island:  October 19; November 16, 23; December 20

PERU:
Peru Multi-Sport:  October 7, 21; November 11, 25