FTB44: Enchanted Islands

ISSUE 44 WINTER 2015

bridge from the

Venice of the north Stockholm sparkles with old-world charm

Enchanted islands Silversea cruises the Galápagos

PRESENTED WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF:

EXCLUSIVE

Dine at Jamie’s Italian on Cruiseco’s charter of Ovation of the Seas

Islands ENCHANTED

Cruising the Galápagos Islands on board Silversea’s Silver Galapagos ensures a luxurious journey on your adventure of a lifetime.

WORDS: RODERICK EIME

T

he famous Galápagos Islands of Ecuador are not called the islas encantadas (enchanted islands) for nothing. These remote and inhospitable islands were first known as a hide-out for pirates and whalers before British naturalist Charles Darwin brought them to the attention of the world after his visit in 1835.

Darwin was enthralled by the unusual distribution and variation in bird and tortoise species and proposed their differences were due to evolution by natural selection. Darwin’s observations became the foundation for his seminal work, On the Origin of Species (1859).

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More recently, BBC broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, as well as other documentary makers, have brought the wonders of the Galápagos to the world via mass media and ensured these fascinating islands are firmly etched in the minds of all true adventure travellers and nature lovers.

Cruising around the Galápagos Islands is possible only by small ship or yacht, but for many years the vessels left a lot to be desired. Now, visitors can experience these incomparable, otherworldly lands on board luxury vessels such as Silversea’s small ship, Silver Galapagos.

Acquired and relaunched as Silver Galapagos in 2013 as part of Silversea’s expanding expedition fleet, the former Galapagos Explorer II has been extensively modernised and upgraded to create an exceptional all-suite vessel.

New furnishings and decor have been fitted, with all suites now updated with fresh upholstery, carpets and curtains. Ensuites have also been renovated and now feature attractive marble detailing and luxurious walkin showers, which are perfect after a hot day exploring on shore.

When you retire to your suite you’re greeted with freshly turned Pratesi linen and

Small Ship | FROM THE BRIDGE

Silver Galapagos’ suites are newly renovated

The restaurant serves a range of Ecuadorian specialties

a chocolate left by your butler. You can watch streamed movies on the big flat screen TV and there’s even wi-fi.

Walking around the public spaces, there is a sense of roominess and comfort normally found only on larger luxury ships. And because you’re sharing the space with just another 100 or so lucky guests, there is never a feeling of being crowded.

Silversea delivers its Galápagos experience by way of a fine-tuned 7-night roundtrip from the island of Baltra, where the first airport was built by the US during World War II. The cruise is true expedition style: comprehensive, enriching and maintaining the key elements of spontaneity and flexibility.

Silversea is dedicated to providing intimate nature experiences, with guided shore tours, snorkelling and kayaking expeditions available.

Going ashore at any of the uninhabited islands of the Galápagos is like landing on another planet. This is the domain of strange animals cast ashore by a fluke of nature on these grotesque volcanic shores, forgotten by time and warped by millions of years of evolution.

You’ll travel to and from the islands by Zodiac—an adventure in itself. The terrain on shore alternates between rocky and sandy, so make sure you pack a good pair of hiking or running shoes. The crew are trained naturalists and Ecuadorians, so they have a wealth of knowledge about the local environment. They’ll lead you around the island paths and introduce you to all the unique creatures you’ve come to see.

You’ll spend some time with the Galápagos penguin, the only penguin that lives in the northern hemisphere; the massive tortoises that lumber around as if wound by a slow clock spring; and the fantastic marine iguanas.

Dubbed ‘imps of darkness’ by Darwin, these

Gather outdoors at the Grill for cocktails and tapas

iguanas are the only ones in the world that live and feed in the ocean. They mingle in clusters, nibbling on algae above and below the waterline, and occasionally snort salt spray from their nostrils with an expression of disdain.

Bird lovers will be transfixed by the comical antics of the blue-footed boobies that dance, waddle and squawk as part of their vaudevillelike mating ritual. The formidable-looking frigatebirds have their own routine, too, with the males inflating their massive red throat pouches like party balloons.

The majestic and endangered waved albatrosses, which nest only on Española Island, can be seen taking off from the cliffs and soaring on the updrafts before returning to their nests to dutifully feed their anxious offspring.

Enjoying these fascinating islands has never been easier or more luxurious. The sophisticated splendour of Silver Galapagos enables true adventurers to come face to face with prehistoric ‘monsters’ during the day and relax with a spa and champagne in the evening. n

FACT FILE Cruise line: Silversea Vessel: Silver Galapagos Star rating: 4 Maximum guest capacity: 111 Crew: 72 GRT: 4077 Entered service: 2013 Facilities: Zodiacs, 2 glass-bottom boats, wetsuits and snorkelling equipment, casino, sauna, pool.

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