Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things you can expect:
- We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 15, 2021
The 2021 GLA Galapagos: Preserving Nature’s Wonders group is together at last!
After an eventful day of travel (with some delays) our team is in good spirits with empanadas in-hand and lots to look forward in the coming weeks.
We will kick off tomorrow with orientation and a trip to Quito’s dazzling Plaza Grande. Carefully following COVID regulations and protocols, we are proud to say all students have safely arrived to Home Base and are ready for a good night’s sleep to prepare for the exciting days ahead.
We are all do grateful to be here! Above are photos of roommate pod groups, and we’ll have more photos in the days ahead.
Taylor McCue
International Director
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16, 2021
On the day after arrival in Quito we began the day by meeting everyone and introducing each other during breakfast.
After breakfast we went up to the terrace of the hotel and played a few games to get to know each other better. We then split into groups and learned more about each other. We spotted a chocolate shop across the street from the hotel and we all went to buy chocolates. We then had a delicious lunch at the hotel.
After lunch we hopped on the bus and traveled to downtown Quito to go exploring! We visited La Virgin de Panecillo and looked at the amazing view. It was incredible to learn all the details and rich history. We then went down to the main part of downtown and visited a few beautiful, historic churches around the town. We also tried a couple of different candies that were very interesting to say the least.
After touring downtown we went to a supermarket to buy some snacks and ended the night with dinner and some games. We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s adventure!
-Ale and the GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 17, 2021
Today was the BIG day we all had been waiting for.
We had to be up and loading our bags on the bus by 3:30am. We left the hotel in Quito at 3:50am. Our flight took off at 7am.
And then we landed in the Galapagos at 11am!
That afternoon, we walked to the Charles Darwin museum and the Giant tortoise breeding center. We found out more about Charles Darwin and all the endemic and invasive species in the Galapagos.
We learned the effects of endemic and invasive species on these spectacular islands, and the work that is being done to reverse the effects. We then walked through the town where we saw sea lions, pelicans, and iguanas.
There was a cute homemade ice cream shop we stopped at. Finally we walked back to the Home Base, ate dinner and went to bed early after a long but much-anticipated day!
-Caroline and the GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18, 2021
Today kicked off our first service project!
We stood side-by-side with the spectacular Galapagos Tortoises as we worked hard to help restore their natural habitat.
These unbelievable creatures walked freely around the terrain as we worked. Later we tried an orange mandarin – one of the tortoises’ favorite treats.
Throughout the day we enjoyed some fresh lemon grass tea and coffee grown locally. After working in the rain we enjoyed some free time around the town, where we explored the Friday night culture in Santa Cruz.
While walking around town we looked through the stores and enjoyed some homemade ice cream.
-Molly, Eva and the GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20, 2021
Saturday morning, we had our first true swimming excursion to Las Grietas, a brackish river tucked within a small gorge.
Although it was a little cold, we enjoyed jumping into the water and swimming; it made everyone feel very refreshed.
Later, we spent some time on the beach and enjoyed some local ice cream before returning to prepare for service. We continued our work from Friday, advancing our holes and continuing to clean up.
Sunday promised to be a bit different: the first true free afternoon! However, before the fun could begin, an important milestone in service was reached. We began planting and finalizing our holes, filling several with dirt and water and surrounding them with rocks.
We also listened to a local artist discuss his experiences on the Galapagos islands before spending the afternoon out on the town.
-Isabelle and the GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21, 2021
Today aboard the Sea Baby, Captain Chicharron sailed us through some bumpy waves.
The sea lions “lobos Marinos” of San Cristobal island were on hand to greet us! Then we enjoyed a lunch of local fish, rice and pumpkin soup (eaten the Ecuadorean way with popcorn on top) at El Rancho Manabita.
Afterwards, we made our way to Playa Punta Carola, where we saw some sea lions surfing and enjoyed the crystal blue waters of the Galapagos. ¡Que fresco el agua!
We finished the day off with some ice cream and some good old fashion table tennis.
-Taylor and the GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23, 2021
Today we went to the Darwin center and learned about the origins of the Galapagos. We learned about the people who first settled and their experiences.
Then we went snorkeling. It was the coolest snorkeling I have ever done! We swam with sea lions and alongside sea turtles. The sea lions were super playful. It is mating season so there are tons of babies and all the male sea lions are super loud competing for a mate.
After snorkeling we all went to a bakery and got awesome blackberry and pineapple bread. We learned all about recycling on the island to cap off our amazing day and made our own tote bags! Today was so much fun.
-Caroline C. and the GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24, 2021
Blog by Madi Morrin
In the morning of day 10 we took a short boat ride to Isla Lobos (“Island of the Wolfs,” which refers to the sea lions). We were able to see and learn a lot about sea lions, blue footed boobies, and frigate birds.
Some of us went snorkeling and swam with a lot of sea lions and sea turtles! In the evening we had a little competition of a scavenger hunt in the town and played some fun games.
-Madi and the GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25, 2021
Wow it’s already day 11!
Today we went to the beach and a few of us snorkeled. We played fun games like Ninja.
We also got to meet Daniel, Wilson’s (our guide) son. He was so cute! He liked to race us along the beach.
After the beach, we had lunch and some free-time before we headed out to the soccer field. We showed up as a unified front with braided hair and matching outfits of grey and black. We even had a cheer squad. We played against a local soccer team, who flattened us with a score of 5 to 0, still had a great time though.
Our group split up for dinner, half went out to sushi and the other half ate at the usual restaurant. Then we went back to our rooms to pack and prepare for tomorrow.
We’re sad to be leaving the Galapagos tomorrow but we’re also excited to spend more time in Quito.
-Christina and the GLA Team
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26, 2021
Today, our blog post is a series of photos for you to enjoy!
