THERE’S BEEN no getting away from Darwin this month. The man, that is, not the city. Only a blue-footed booby (right) could have slept through the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the great naturalist’s birth.
For true Darwinian disciples there can only be one holiday destination this year: the Galapagos Islands. The archipelago, 1,000km off Ecuador, was made famous by the scientist during his research expedition on board the HMS Beagle.
Even if you don’t give a hoot about the ascent of man, however, anyone who has even the slightest regard for exotic fauna will see the appeal of one of the seven wonders of the natural world.
From giant tortoises to flightless birds, all are so friendly they come up and tickle you under the chin.
If you are going, there’s another reason for making it this year. Concerns about tourism’s environmental impact have already led to restrictions on the number of people allowed to visit and on where they can go.
As for evolution, I’ve always taken it on faith. Until my 10-year-old daughter, the little homunculus, asked me how we know monkeys aren’t evolved from us. Which is kind of hurting my head.
Beacon South America, in Cork, has a four-day Galapagos cruise for €1,455pps with two people.
0818-300123, www.beacon southamerica.com.
