Galapagos And Responsible Travel A Native Speaks Out
Galapagos and Responsible Travel
A Native Speaks Out
San Cristobal Galapagos Nov. 2008
Tourists choices in travel have profound impacts on the local environments and economies of their destinations. The Galapagos Islands are no exception. Responsible tourism begins with education and while everyone has seen a national geographic article or program on the wildlife of the Galapagos few have received accurate information on the reality of the people and economy that exist here. Many people are surprised to learn that there are people living on the islands or that there are land based tour options. Ninetyeight percent of the land mass of the Galapagos is National Park. The other two percent are privately owned by Colonial Permanentes descended from the original colonists.
The original idea of keeping tourists on cruise ships or floating hotels as a way of protecting the natural world of the Galapagos was a good one thirtyfive years ago when there were only a couple of cruise ships working and the local population was one tenth of what it is today. Today there are more than a hundred cruise ships. These hundred plus ships refuel with petroleum brought from the mainland in our ports they burn these fossil fuels practically 24/7 leave their trash in our dumps pump untreated sewage directly into the ocean rip up reefs with their anchors employ mostly from the mainland purchase produce and goods exclusively from the mainland and the majority of them are owned by people who have no direct contact with the Galapagos except as a place to make money. Less than five percent of all the revenue generated by tourism in the Galapagos ever touches the hands of the people that live here the true guardians of these islands. Tens of thousands of international visitors arrive here annually with perhaps the greatest carbon footprint of any vacation on earth. They push that distinction even further by making uneducated choices of how and with whom they arrive. They pay thousands of dollars to second and third party travel agencies who receive that money in exchange for the marketing of the Galapagos but take no responsibility for the problems their profits cause.
How did this happen? Who is to blame? What can be done about it?
In the past twentyfive years Ecuador has had eleven Presidents eight in the last ten. The previous seven could be called pro business meaning there own. Each new president in Ecuador appoints new Governors Secretaries of Environment Tourism etc. Not only was there no continuity or firm directives for the Galapagos National Park or Ingala the branch of government charged with the responsibility to enforce the laws of the Galapagos frequently there was no money or political will to properly care for the Galapagos. There was opportunistic investing sometimes as blatant as plans to turn the Galapagos into a kind of southern hemisphere Waikiki or cruise ship licenses sold without regard for consequences. Add to this the political clout of the fishermen who represent a block of votes and with their political influence were able to water down fishing restrictions to the point where they were ineffective in preserving the fisheries.
What we have now is:
A population of approximately 30000 with as many as one third of them illegal immigrants
Almost a hundred cruise ships owned primarily by people whose only connection to the Galapagos is as a place to make money
A population largely disenfranchised from the tourism industry while what had been the predominate economy fishing has been all but decimated
A boom in poaching of sea cucumbers shark fins and out of season lobsters
Many boats and tour operators operating without the proper licenses
The National Park and Ingala reduced to ineffectual agencies. Abuses abound and even trying to get proper licenses is extremely difficult sometimes for lack of things as basic as ink for a printer.
A reliance on produce goods and electricity in the form of diesel fuel to supply generators imported from the continent. The small local farmers on the islands cant compete with the prices of the mass produced foods from the continent even with the costs of transportation
Theres enough blame to go around. The political problems of Ecuador are easy enough to point to but the real blame is the short sightedness and greed of just about everyone from local fishermen to cruise line operators even to tourists who are unwitting accomplices.
What can be done about it?
We are lucky to have a new president Rafael Correa a Christian Socialist he calls himself. Hes taken on the political corruption that has plagued this country since its inception with his seventyfive percent popularity. It appears hell be able to serve out his term. He was a professor here at the small university for a while and has made protecting the Galapagos one of his top priorities. There have been seminars and symposiums meetings with The National Park The Charles Darwin Foundation Ingala. The only thing anyone agrees on is something must be done. What exactly has been the hard part.
We have many conflicting interests varied alliances jealousies and in fighting. Even with all of that we are making some minor head way thanks mostly to our new president but the real power the real force that can bring about change is on the supply side. With the growing awareness of responsible/eco tourism there is hope for positive change www.cometogalapagos.com.
Customized land based tours offer visitors the ability to visit several different islands often by small plane receive a level of personalized service and accommodation unavailable on cruise tours and help bring about positive change toward sustainable economic practices within the Galapagos. For example we work with local fishermen who have lived all their lives harvesting their living from the sea depleting fisheries working with us they have exchanged their license to fish commercially irrevocably for a license to work with visitors taking the visitors out in their boats demonstrating how they used to fish with hand lines explaining the history of the fisheries what has happened the reality that exists now and then catching the nights meal to be shared with their family. The environmental impact is that instead of harvesting thousands of fish a year to survive a fisherman’s family can survive harvesting only a hundred. It allows visitors a glimpse not only into the history but also the culture and current reality of the Galapagos allows a cultural exchange which is perhaps as important for the fishermen as it is enjoyable for the visitor and allows the ability for the fishermen to have a sustainable option for making a living. We are doing the same with the farmers. For the past ten years the population has been able to purchase produce meat and eggs imported from the continent at a cheaper price than the small farms here can produce these items and survive. The reason for this is the large commercial farms on the continent which do not need to adhere to any government mandated standards as to the use of chemicals growth hormones etc. have been able even with the cost of shipping to under cut the market. Most people book their vacations here months sometimes even a year in advance. This allows us the opportunity to plan ahead. We can say to the farmers On this date we are going to need X number of lettuce eggs tomatoes fruit etc. This allows the farmers the ability to plant many of these crops knowing they have a secure market and with this the willingness to follow best practices with regard to organics water use etc.
Our problems in the Galapagos are not unique. All over the world local economies are getting trampled by large tour companies who come in exploit the resource and take the vast majority of the revenue with them. The choices we make as consumers in this case travelers are shaping the future of our planet. Vacations are perhaps the last place anyone wants to accept this responsibility but there it is. As far as the Galapagos you can help by taking a land based tour rather than a cruise tour. If you must take a cruise tour do so with one that is owned by a native Galapageno.
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About the writer: Galapagos Citizen
Flying To Antalya From UK Via Istanbul – Experiences Pros Cons
While investigating the prices of flights to Antalya a practice with which I am quite familiar since purchasing an apartment some 60 km from the airport I discovered that one can sometimes save money by electing to fly via Istanbul.
Over the past two years I have made three such journeys each time departing from London Luton airport with Easyjet enroute to Istanbul Sabiha Gocken airport. The timings of these flights particularly in the winter season are such that you can catch an onward connection to Antalya flying there with Pegasusnbsp; a reliable and punctual Turkish airline. It is possible to fly again via Istanbul from Stansted using Pegasus for both legs however the flight times of the second leg with Pegasus do not tie in with their arrival in Istanbul and will therefore involve an overnight stay there.
Travelling in February 2008 I researched and discovered that I could lodge in a suburb of Istanbul called Pendik reaching this by Taxi a journey of approximately 20 minutes and 12 or so miles. The hotel proved to be comfortable and the breakfast reasonable.
The journey involves obtaining your entry visa in Istanbul airport clearing customs and if you are travelling onwards to Antalya the same afternoon you will need to proceed to the Domestic area which is just to your left about 100 yards and wait a couple of hours before you can check in at the Pegasus terminal. When returning to the UK at Sabiha Gocken you will need to go through security to gain access to the International Terminal.
Sabiha Gocken airport is a reasonable satellite airport in Istanbul Ataturk is the biggest airport there; the facilities are satisfactory if unexciting and the catering is quite expensive. I am told that Sabiha is expanding rapidly and that eventually it will provide a significant portion of flights which hitherto have operated from Ataturk.
In July 2008 I travelled with my wife using the same route but this time we elected to stay overnight in Istanbul on our return to the UK. We did not want an expensive hotel so booked an economy room at a website called Istanbul 30. This website offers rooms from 30 euros per person per night and here we gained an advantage and a disadvantage. The obvious advantage was the price; the less obvious advantage was the proximity of this small hotel to Taksim Square and in particular Istikial Caddesi the main shopping street of the City.
The disadvantage was that the hotel was quite shabby particularly the shower room where a chambermaid was still assiduously mopping up the excess water spilled by an inadequate drainage system.
Nonetheless and after a suitable reprimand from my wife we discovered that Istikial Caddesi is reminiscent of Oxford Street at Christmas with its illuminations and vibrant shops it also reminds you of San Francisco because of thenbsp; trolley car where customers are hanging outside the compartment using railings to avoid falling off the car.
The dining is superb and inexpensive and a must see is the tourist highlight called Galata Tower where for about pound;5 you can reach the top and enjoy one of the worlds greatest sights a 270 degree view of the Bosphorous Mosques Fountains Bridges Suspension Bridges Ferries and Ocean Liners. For those of you who are financially secure it is possible to book a four or five course meal here where you can enjoy the view the food and take in a large floor show including Turkish Belly Dancing. The cost of this is approximately 80 euros per person.
At the time of writing i.e. May 2009 there are special offers applying to both Easyjet and Pegasus airlines and I calculated that for the complete journey in October it would cost me approximately pound;120 return a very reasonable price.
The main disadvantage is that you will be travelling from Luton to Antalya for most of the day arriving in the evening. The advantages are cost and reasonable starting out times when compared with some of the charter airlines which sometimes depart at 3.00am or 22.00pm. Another advantage is that you may get to see one of the worlds greatest cities i.e. Istanbul the panorama while landing is amazing. It is easy to transfer from Sabiha Gocken to Istanbul Taksim Sq by Havas airport bus at a cost of around pound;5 for each leg with a journey time of approximately 1 hour. The return bus departs near MacDonalds restaurant on an hourly basis.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;
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About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Tim has travelled to Antalya Turkey several times and has now purchased an apartment near Kumkoy.
Cheap Holidays in Antalya
Belek Golf Courses
Five Reasons Why People Worldwide Interested In Visiting Bali Island
Bali is one of thousand islands in Indonesia South East Asia. Bali is so popular with Bali bombing tragedies that happened on 2002 still interesting to visit. The Bali bombing tragedies make many international facilities like Hotel Air Port big caf and night club is keeping with detector. The improvement of Information Communication technology like internet connection make Bali Island more popular than before. The world wide tourists that come there depend of the season. Europe and American tourist always come on June until July but Asian tourist interested in coming on August. The domestic tourist more interested in coming on September until December because the month is full holiday for students so that the parent will follow the situation.
Nyepi is religion day that Bali Island closed to people out side. No light car passing or store opened. The Balinese will stay at home no eating and light. The Ngurah Ray Air Port as International Air port is closed no departure and arriving passengers.
The Bali bombing by terrorist make bad image and deep impressed to people world wide so that the people decide to build Bali bombing monument at Kute. Australian and American come there to pry for the victims.
Many reasons why people world wide interested in coming to Bali Island
1.Pure culture.
Bali people follow strong Hinduism. They devote their life to the Hindu religion. You will see many puras when going around there. The Balinese tradition life from birth until death followed by ceremony. You can see Galungan Kuningan Nyepi ngaben and others ceremony at Bali.
The artist from Bali creates many dances because of soul of art. The statue was created there reflect of Hinduism. You can see the Kecak and Barongsai dance performance from small village until five stars Hotel.
It is not astonished Balinese never interfered by others culture although people world wide come there never stopped.
2.Friendly people
Balinese is popular with smiling face. They are always friendly to others and welcome to new comers. You will feel like at your home.
3.Excellent craft
Balinese tend to be artist. They like to paint carving and make others beautiful craft. You can visit Antonio Blanco Museum the painter that married to Balinese woman Sukowati Art market center. You are always followed by craft seller whenever you go. They always beg you to buy the crafts.
4.Beautiful places to visit.
You never have time to rest when you are at Bali. There many interesting places you should visit. The scenery is so natural lets see Nusa dua beach that have International cruise ship bedugul Tanpak siring that have president palace. Kute and legian beach with international facilities or Tanah lot is beach especially for praying.
5.Save to stay
The regency of Bali and Indonesian police try to improve the security Bali after Bali bombing tragedies. Star hotel and caf with international reputation with detector facilities.
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