Toronto, Canada
Having a base in Toronto means figuring out how to balance my life here and on the road. I’d love to say it’s been an easy process but I have learned it means I have to live without certainty.
I love being here and I know this was the right thing to do. I have no regrets but my heart is still in Latin America. I knew when I wrote my plan for the year of less that I needed to return to the culture that had changed me so much. I owe so much to my time traveling in Latin America and I need to return, to remember what I learned.
And so I have been quietly making plans to travel. I really wanted to return to Maui for the Agricultural Festival. I met some incredible people there and I promised I would return. I’ve also been planning my return to South America. I haven’t figured out all the details or how long I am going to go in total but I have pretty incredible news.
I’m going to the Galapagos
Ecuador is such a special place for me. I stayed there until the day my three month visa ran out and I never went to the Galapagos. It has always been in the back of my mind to return and when approached by Exodus to work on a program with them I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.
I hate to be that person who brags about travel and I usually downplay trips, but seriously look at my Galapagos program here.
I’ll be honest, I’m not much on big bucket list trips – I don’t even want to go to Antarctica. But the Galapagos is different. I have been writing about it as the About.com South America Guide without every experiencing it myself. It is like going back in time and seeing animals you cannot see anywhere else. Perhaps the closest I’ll ever really get into the wild because I don’t like to hike and I’m not much of a camper.
I also like that it’s a cruise which helps with low-impact travel and uses the sail when possible. Exodus also has a number of programs in place to ensure their guides are advocates of sustainable tourism. I did sail from Panama to Colombia and it was really dicey the last few days as I realized I don’t have sea legs. But that was a 30ft boat and this one is 96ft.
And so these past few days I’ve been online researching what I need to bring, and while all of the images of sea lions, blue-footed boobies, turtles and rays were cool I was still so focused on the other details in my life…should I go down before the trip? should I stay afterwards? what about this marketing contract I was offered?
But it wasn’t until I saw this video that I realized…
Holy crap. I’m going to the Galapagos.
The rest will fall into place. I’m certain of that.
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I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
This is the kind of trip you should shout from the rooftops about, it sounds incredible!
Naomi recently posted..Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
Looks beautiful! Can’t wait to hear about it.
Caroline Eubanks recently posted..Photo Friday: Charleston Wine and Food Festival
Oh I am soooooo jealous!!! Congrats what an awesome trip! Definitely high on my BL.
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Guest Post: Top Ten Foods to Try in Mauritius
I was in the Galapagos in 2001 and it still stands out in my mind as one of the most special places I have ever visited. Enjoy! I look forward to seeing the pics!
Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.) recently posted..In and around Inle lake (Burma)
Also so jealous! Can’t wait to read about it!
OH my god this is AMAZING! I’m so excited for you and jelous at the same time!! xxx
Scarlett recently posted..A Business of Ferrets…
Love that video but OMG!! Octopus! Not thanks!! hahaha Too bad you won’t get to see Lonesome George when you are there like they did, he passed away last year. I hope you have an awesome time, its high on my bucket list!! Exciting!
Cailin recently posted..Girona, Living Like A Local #video
Soooo happy and excited for you, hunni! Oh my gosh, the Galapagos are definitely on my list of ‘must see’ so I can’t wait to read about your experience there.
Ceri recently posted..My Mexicanisms
Ohhh that sounds like fun! Have fun in the Galapagos, can’t wait to read about it.
That video is cool, but it doesn’t even come close to doing the Galapagos justice. You will not regret this decision for a second! I’m so excited for you!
Arianwen recently posted..The wildlife of Puerto Madryn
I already told you how happy I am for you but I will say it again, congratulations! I am not one for bucket list travel either but the galapagos are most certainly a dream of mine.
Rease recently posted..Avion Tequila Pairing Dinner at Vida Mexican Kitchen y Cantina
Fun times ahead! Are those octopodes endangered or can you grill them up?
A Cook Not Mad (Nat) recently posted..Lapping Up Imola In Emilia-Romagna
Wow, I’m so excited for you! As I write this I’m finishing up a ‘photographic guide’ to the Galapagos, as I just finally finished going through our 4,000+ photos! It’ll go up tonight.
If you’re doing the 11 day cruise, you’ll get to see almost everything including the more remote islands that we didn’t make it to. It’s such an inspiring place, I’m so happy for you!
Cassie recently posted..Helping Women Means Helping Women to Work
Wow! Your trip looks amazing! I’m super jealous. Can’t wait to see all your pictures and read about your adventure!
Jaclyn@JaclynsJaunts recently posted..Weekly Wanderlust: Fallen Columns in Ancient Olympia, Greece
Amazing. I’d love to go here and experience all of it. I can’t wait to read about your experiences.
jenjenk recently posted..Puerto Rico: Piñones
Galapagos! Congratulations. Seriously considering moving home base to Ecuador next year. Can’t wait for the opportunity.
Jonathan Look, Jr. recently posted..Worry and Concern
This sounds soo exciting! I am really looking forward to sharing this trip through your posts. And yes, eventually everything will fall into place.
Regina recently posted..Our Top 5 Favorite Thai Foods
Galapagos would be my dream come true destination. Would love to explore the area and enjoy the stunning view of the flora and fauna.
Agness recently posted..Photo Gallery: Chinese Faces
Hooray, the Galapagos! Say hello to the Sea Lions for me. It is the first, and only, place I’ve returned to on my world travels. I’ll be back later this year to work/hang out for a month or so. I think you should really take me with you, given my expertise, haha. If you squeezed any extra time to stay on land, let me know. I can suggest some places to eat on San Cristobal and Santa Cruz….have fun, although you might not like the Sierra Negra volcano hike!
Red Hunt recently posted..Wildlife Photo: Common Bottlenose Dolphins
sweet ass!
I’ll happily act as a valet and carry your bags on this trip.
ehalvey recently posted..ArtSmart Roundtable: Wait, You Want Me to Go to Liverpool to See Art?
Wow I would love to see the Galapagos! Can’t wait to read all about it
How wonderful to let life take you on a current and not think about what comes after. This is an amazing opportunity. It’s been on my list for a while now!
Mary R recently posted..Popes and Swiss Guards
South America gets under our skin:) Look forward to hearing from you.
ps: if you decide to go to Brazil, please, let me know (I am still else where, but I have got great friends there that may help you).
Love,
Silvia
Silvia recently posted..O desafio das FAQs
Super jealous. I don’t put much into bucket lists, but the Galapagos always sounds like a great destination.
Lauren, Ephemerratic recently posted..Eating guinea pig: A pet at home, dinner in Peru
What an amazing opportunity!
Emily in Chile recently posted..Brunching in Battery Park
I”m a sucker for bucket lists of any sort, but the Galapagos sound incredible no matter what! My sister-in-law is there now and her pictures make me want to jump on a plane now
Casey-A Cruising Couple recently posted..World Baseball Classic: Chinese Taipei
I am loving that video! So excited for you about Galapagos! Speaking of South America, I totally understand as it has become like second home to me and I have developed quite an attachment for this continent like no other. I just got back from Peru, and will be flying back to Colombia in two weeks. I can’t get away!
Antoinette recently posted..The Week in Photos: Lima
Wow! What an amazing trip this one will be. I am looking forward to reading about all your advertures
Martine @ Chompchomp recently posted..Frisk Small Bar and some Mexican, Northbridge
I know what you mean about needing to return somewhere to remember what you learned. I felt like I gained so much perspective in Asia, only to lose it when I got to a western country again – Australia. I am so excited to be going back!
Jealous about Galapagos. I WILL go one day. SOON!
Kristin Addis recently posted..Photoblog: Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens
Congratulations! This is so well-deserved and you’re not bragging, in my opinion – or if you are, you have every right to be. Enjoy, celebrate and be proud of this experience. I think it’s absolutely fantastic, and am excited to read about your adventures!
Tammy Burns recently posted..Kia ora! I’m going to New Zealand!
We didn’t get to go the last time we were down there either.
*swoon* THE DIVING!
Erica recently posted..The East Side Gallery at the Berlin Wall
You know what Ayngelina? I’m jealous. Again. But, there is a very small chance of me going there this year too…
Federico recently posted..What to Do if Injured or During Holiday Illness When Traveling International
This is definitely on my list! Please tell the blue-footed booby I’m coming some day soon. . .
Larissa recently posted..How to travel: 14 Travel Myths Debunked (Part 2)
I’m jealous! For now, I will settle in gallivanting around Cebu – another place you adore
Looking forward to your Galapagos adventures! Go girl 
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..Zoobic Safari – The Only Tiger Safari in the Philippines
HUGELY jealous, my friend!!! Have fun!!!!!
WOW! I cannot wait to read about this. Such a special experience. Your itinerary looks amazing!
Alex recently posted..Two Days in The Thai Jungle: Rafting from Pai to Mae Hong Son
I’m sooooo sooo jealous! I haven’t been to South America and this would be one of the top destinations I’d like to go to!
2014 is going to be my South America year!
I can’t wait to read your stories and see your pictures!
Sebastian @ Off-The-Path.com recently posted..City Beach Life: Is Barcelona One Of The Best Cities In Europe?
Yay, you are going to absolutely love it! I was there for Semester at Sea last year and fell in love. Can’t wait to see your photos!
Camels & Chocolate recently posted..Trip Planning: Using OneNote to Stay Organized