Monarchs Abroad: Celine’s Galapagos Recap

By Celine Tasaki, Class of 2032

One of the things I enjoyed most about our trip was snorkeling with my brother at La Loberfa Beach in San Cristobal island . The water was so clear that you could see everything beneath you, which made the experience even more exciting. I saw sea lions swimming right past us and they were moving so fast and I also saw turtles resting peacefully at the bottom. It felt so cool being that close to them in their natural habitat and it's something I'll never forget. I also really liked getting to meet new people from other states like Michigan and Indiana. It was interesting hearing about where they're from and sharing our experiences together. I also felt closer to my family because we were all spending so much time together. 

One thing I learned from Quito's La Mariscal craft market is that you can bargain for things at shops, which is very different from what I'm used to. When my family and I were walking around, we were able to offer a different price for items that seemed really expensive and sometimes the sellers would actually agree. It made shopping more fun. I also learned that Ecuador is named after the equator, which runs through the country so you can actually stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time. 

At the lntinan Equator Museum which is right on the equator line, we watched demonstrations and learned about the Coriolis Effect and how it influences movement on Earth. They showed how water can drain differently depending on the hemisphere and explained how the Earth's rotation affects motion. We even got to try balancing a raw egg on a nail. I also thought the Santa Cruz Darwin Research Center was really interesting because they keep turtles there until they are old enough and then release them into the wild so they have a higher chance of survival. It was cool seeing different tortoises up close and learning how they are cared for. 

My advice to students going on a trip like this next year is to have fun, take lots of pictures, and be safe. Trips like this are such a great way to try new things and meet new people and learn about the world in a way you can't in school. I think I grew as a person by becoming more responsible and doing things I normally wouldn't do. 

 

Galapagos Trip Album