" We were both totally blown away by our experience - it was in one word, magical. I'd go as far as to say that it's the best safari or animal experience that I have ever had, and I've been on safari in Africa and India many times. The Galapagos simply took me by surprise - reading about them or even seeing photos of them was nothing like the actual experience of being there. As far as Gal was concerned, this was the best trip ever, and she just wants to find a way to go back! I didn't really know what to expect - the islands are not famous for their exotic beauty - there are no world-famous beaches, bent palm trees or the like. Rather, they are the leftovers of massive ancient volcanic eruptions, and on many islands the fields of lava stretch forbiddingly into the distance. Of course I knew about Darwin and his famous research, and the fact that species developed on the islands completely independently from the mainland, but nevertheless, none of this prepares you for what you are going to see and experience, which is an adventure with mammals, birds and fish that you simply cannot experience anywhere else.