7KUBBE

Living 13 years on Bonaire I experienced a whole new world, just a 5 hours flight away lay the Galapagos Islands. I have always believed that Bonaire had to be the most preserved and cared for Island, these thought changed very rapidly with my first Galapagos experience. Can we call Bonaire being pristine, I wish but sadly untrue?
Landing on the Galapagos and paying $ 100 park fee at the airport (not for a year but per visit). We where received by a highly educated park ranger, Billy who did not get his degree on evening schooling. Soon we where instructed on rules and regulations, group versus ranger, with question and answers so we would understand the importance of preserving their islands. You can only visit each island guided by a ranger, stay on the path, no touching, taking, braking or peeing, no fruit, insects or importing creatures that do not belong there. A pristine environment where the frigate birds, albatross and blue footed boobies can live side by side with sea lions and penguins and amazingly with humans. As long as we follow the rules "stay on the path". Visiting the town of Puerto La Cruz, the melancholy struck me. This is Bonaire from 13 Years ago. No traffic, no loud noises, only friendly people and no crime. Wouldn't I love to live here. Not possible, no foreigner are allowed to live on the islands, no foreigner is allowed to have a working permit. (Or you are doing research), not even Equatorians are allowed to live on the Galapagos, you will only find local people working here, on the live-boards, hotels and restaurants they are all Galapagosians or related to the island. Sure I is not all sunshine, there are things happening that are not environmental friendly: selling their ocean to international fisheries, illegal shark-fining and long lining. But look at their landfill, they do not allow any import of not recyclable goods. No import of plastic bottles and glass will be crushed and reused. Global warming will effect their sea life, increase in temperature reduces food in the water which results in starvation of some species. But as long as you are not part of the cause you can concentrate on the preservation and protection. With its 60.000 tourism a year an amount they will suppress by decreasing the live-board fleet to only 3 ships for diving and all the other ship will only be allowed to do land based excursions. With only a handful hotels and guest houses they all run good businesses , keep it small, exclusive, safe and friendly. The Galapagos do lack one thing, they don't have a slogan. We could easily give them ours, Unhurried, Unspoiled and Unforgettable. A politician ones told me: we need tourism to keep the world aware of its importance for preservation, this is how we will receive the right funds for conservation". Understanding his words: we do not preserve nature for nature but for tourism, power and money! " How deep can you dig your own grave", I wonder.
My trip only took me to the south side of the islands and we mainly concentrated on land excursions and little diving. The Islands are easy aces traveling from Bonaire, they are a miracle " to still be so pristine".