How I felt after a Lindblad Expedition Trip to the Galápagos

Sometimes, a trip can heal you in a way you weren't expecting. Not in the sense of "I need a vacation" but in the light of "this is the vacation I needed." That ended up being the Galápagos journey with Lindblad Expeditions for me.

I went with my husband to the Galápagos. I was very excited as Galápagos is a dream trip for most anyone. Having already been on a couple safaris, I was sure Galápagos was going to be unreal. What was unexpected was what I gained as a passenger on Lindblad.

The Galápagos is a truly magical place. A place where you are disconnected from the chaos of the outside world where you see 100, or maybe even 1,000, birds to a person. A place where you can really have time to think, breathe, and just be. A place where you can give yourself a break from the day-to-day hustle, whatever that looks like in your world.

I am going to take a step back and say I have never been "a fan of cruising." I always caveat that on big ship cruises and knew something like Lindblad was just my style. With under 100 passengers onboard, the National Geographic Endeavour II is very small (though Lindblad has an even smaller, 48-passenger option with the National Geographic Islander II) and the idea of not packing and unpacking for a week sounded great. Also, the idea of being surrounded by nature with only the crew and other guests sounded even better.

Stepping onboard a Lindblad expedition was like stepping into a new family. The ship is small and intimate, yet there are guides, naturalists and other guests that fit every personality. It is easy to get to know people, not in a forced way, so the introvert in me was not overwhelmed. By the time the week was over, I had new friends I was excited to follow along on where ever they landed next.

The week was full of laughter, deep conversation, goofiness, connection, calm, excitement, and easiness.  Nothing melts stress away like having what you need appear when you need it or ask for it.

There were so many moments that occurred that really stood out and I hold onto fondly as great memories, but I have a couple to share, in particular:

Sometimes, things don't go as you hope, even on a spectacular vacation.  I am not afraid to openly admit I sometimes write bravery checks I struggle to cash. FOMO is the worst. Seriously. So, when you know you are somewhere where the snorkeling is amazing, you go for it, knowing sometimes when the water hits your face in the ocean, you are not at your best. I had done the practice, easy snorkel the day before, so I thought I was ready for the proper, drift snorkeling, where you really see some spectacular creatures. That particular day, the tide was slightly rough and we were being dropped at one side of this rock formation and would drift to the other. Between the water, waves, current, and snorkel mask on my face, I hopped off the Zodiac (mind you, most jump) and pretty much started a panic attack.

The guides at Lindblad Expeditions are the best though.  My husband was with me, but he hadn’t yet waved over our astute, incredible guide, Africa. She had eyes on all of us in the water and already knew I was struggling. She got me back to the boat, told me to take as long as needed, and when I was ready, she would be there for me. I sent my husband off and took a bit to calm down, then said, I am ready. Africa came back and next thing I know, in her super cute Ecuadorian accent, was telling me, “Just hold Pamela, she will keep you safe." Pamela is the buoy, she had nicknamed Pamela Anderson. ??  Talk about totally making a situation light. I kept giggling as my new friend Pamela held my hand (okay, I held onto the buoy handle) and swam until I was totally comfortable and mesmerized by the world under the water. After the seals came to play with Pamela too, I decided I really was okay after all. Africa had been right beside me the whole time, checking on me, while also keeping an eye on everyone else. She helped me get past my anxiety and I was great the rest of the trip, no issues. Her calmness and chill factor was perfect.

For me the icing on the expedition cake, other than all the awesome booby sightings, was on our last full day with Lindblad, we entered the crater at Genovesa Island for one more day of fun. The day started with seeing our first red-footed boobies, lots of other rare birds including the only predator of the islands (a very small owl), and drift snorkeling. By then, I was a semi-pro drift snorkeler that was getting brave enough to dive under water sometimes, even to poke my head into a hole in the lava rocks to view where the guides had found a shiver of reef sharks huddled up. But that last moment of "real special that you can’t create" occurred when, instead of us all getting back on the two Zodiacs, someone had the idea for us to all jump in the water.  The guides and Zodiac drivers are all super patient and watched as we then circled up and did out best “synchronized” leg kicks, while all laughing so hard. The guides were awesome and grabbed phones to take some beloved videos. After a few short days, I was going to seriously miss these fellow expeditionists and the fun we were having together. These are not the things we can script, this is the goodness of travel unfolding for you.

I was sad to have the trip end, though I was also very content. We all struggle at times. Even the strongest among us need a break away. I firmly believe the best clarity comes from nature and truly getting away from it all. Everyone says African safaris are very healing and I do agree, though I can also say how Lindblad Expeditions operates in this extremely majestic place is just as profound. The past couple years have been very rough and having a place to go so centering was just what was needed. I went home feeling satisfied, calm, focused, and so thankful for this amazing planet we all share together.

-Katie Schmit, Owner of Travel By Katie