Go Galapagos with Sally Emory

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A 2,700-mile trip to a remote chain of South American islands would prove daunting to even the most well-traveled among us.  But to 60-something Sally Emory, the four-plane trip from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to the Galapagos Islands was completely doable.  “It's an easy enough trip if you're mobile and have pretty good balance,” says Emory.  But climbing stairs on the boat, getting into and out of rubber dinghies, navigating uneven rocks, and other challenges on land could prove hazardous for some.  Emory warns, “It's definitely not for people with walkers or wheelchairs.”

Why did Emory choose the Galapagos?  “For the same reasons everyone else goes—animals, uniqueness, Darwin,” she says.  All the animal-watching and the snorkeling were the best moments of the trip for Emory.  And for the worst moments--Emory says she can't recall any.

Emory toured the islands on a 20-person ship with two guides who gave talks and led walks and snorkeling.  The buffet-style food was fine says Emory—but not gourmet.   She used the travel company Journeys to organize the cruise. Another operator that was already booked when Emory was planning her trip is Lindblad, which is associated with National Geographic. 

View some of Emory’s photos in this slide show (she had a hard time winnowing them down to the 200 she provided us).  She shot with an Olympus C-765 with a 10X optical zoom.