The Galapagos Islands were born in a village in Soria

For: Alfonso Polvorinos (text and photos)
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The collegiate church of Berlanga de Duero, Soria, is cold, sober, perhaps more austere than others in terms of decoration but as all collegiate pride. This temple, founded by the Dukes of Frías in town who claims to have had the Cid himself as the first mayor, XVI century and in its interior, inter alia, the starry vaults. But it is not art that brought me to this town Soriana, but something, the less, original. Near the door, one of the walls, rest in peace while hanging upside down, an alligator brought from the Americas by whom in turn has brought me here: Fray Tomas de Berlanga. I tell you:

Facts of Life, born in a family farmer in this Spanish population, located over 300 kilometers from the nearest sea, the character was going to put on the map excellent natural paradise: Galapagos Islands. Yes, I have not gone mad.

It was in the early sixteenth century when Thomas Martinez Gomez embraced the Order Dominica following the steps of Santo Domingo de Guzman and, after training in Soria also town of El Burgo de Osma and at the University of Salamanca, embarked on the second expedition towards the island dominica The Spanish (1510). From that moment his life Fray Tomás linked to the New World, first in Mexico and finally during 14 years as Bishop of Panama.
And 1535 traveled to Lima to mediate between Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro when a terrible total calm, so feared by sailors, led him to an unknown land where turtles lived an enormous size. He had discovered the archipelago of the Galapagos.

So you know, Galapagos Islands ... born in Berlanga de Duero, a town of Soria. Well actually it was his discovery, but ultimately it is as if they have to some extent here any birth certificate. Hardly surprising in a time when some of the best sailors left interior locations (when communication and transportation were not far now) in a country in which the Archivo General de la Marina is ... in Sierra Morena (Ciudad Real).

From that moment his life Fray Tomás linked to the New World, first in Mexico and finally during 14 years as Bishop of Panama.

Today remains in the interior of the Collegiate Berlanga de Duero, apart from the remains of Fray Tomás, the famous stuffed alligator that he brought Panama, nicknamed by locals as "Ardashir". Outside, a well-deserved statue to its most prominent and Berlangas, down the street, the house where a day 1487 came into the world the discoverer of the islands that served, inter alia, the naturalist Charles Darwin to develop the most influential theory of biology.

Beginning with this, the less, curious story a new digital adventure viajesalpasado.com to pay my personal tribute to those who in one way or another have dedicated their lives to nature. Since Livingstone Dian Fossey, through Darwin himself or Jane Goodall, many people have been and are part of the history of nature and wildlife. Without them there would have been possible. Or it would have been, but otherwise, so I'll tell you which was.
Fray Tomas de Berlanga study natural sciences in Salamanca but if your goal in life was devoted to nature be stories I wanted to start with it, starred in a natural setting of primer order.
And the goal of this section is also and above, descubriros an ecotourism destination and what it is possible to visit linked to the character and natural values ​​linked to. I invite you to start today for a trip through this "travel journal of a naturalist around the world we would have liked to go on the Beagle", namely, server.
What are the Galapagos (physically) Brother Thomas is dedicated to little. Quite the opposite occurs with the ambassador par excellence of the Galapagos Islands: Charles Darwin.

The Galapagos Islands or Archipelago of Columbus is also known as the Enchanted Islands. Emerge almost 1.000 kilometers from the coast of Ecuador and from its declaration as national park 1959, pose a scientific and ecotourism destination of international significance that you can visit on board a cruise. A lack of hotels in the islands many boats offering cruises of several days recommended (5, 8 or 15) navigation through the different islands of the archipelago. What islands are visited and what is?
Each island is a Noah's Ark, a living museum outdoors with the most extensive catalog of species of flora and fauna. Endemic in most cases. But I comment the most relevant for each of the main islands:

Baltra: It is the beginning and end of most cruises because it has the main port of entry to the islands from the mainland.

Spanish:
blue-footed boobies and masked boobies. Endemic albatross, giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, etc..

Bartholomew: Galapagos Penguins, sea lions, Sharks, etc..

Fernandina: flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, marine and land iguanas, sea lions, etc..

Floreana: sea turtle, rays and numerous marine species. Diving Paradise.

Genovesa: Red-footed booby, masked boobies, Hammerheads, sea lions, four species of finches, etc..

Isabela: boobies, flightless cormorant, Flemish, land iguanas and giant tortoises largest population of terrestrial, many other species.

North Seymour: boobies, frigates, tropical birds (tailed gulls), marine iguanas, sea lions, etc..

San Cristobal: masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigates, sea lions, Chondrichthyes and cetaceans.

Santa Cruz:
many species of birds (bird paradise), sea lions, sea turtle, land and marine iguanas.

South Plaza: Tropical bird, Blue-footed booby, masked boobies, frigates, Pelicans, land iguanas, sea turtle, condrictios, etc..
More information and other Paradises of the world

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The gateway to the Galapagos Islands is air. Flights depart from Quito Airport (with a stop in Guayaquil) or direct from Guayaquil, and land on the island of Baltra, from where cruises depart. The staff of the cruise will be waiting outside the airport once you have collected your luggage and paid the 120 U.S. dollars (over nonresident aliens 12 years; and 60 under U.S. dollars 12 years) admission rate to the national park.
Before boarding passes Guayaquil Luggage phytosanitary control the scanner from the airport to prevent the entry in the Galapagos of non-native plants or animals to alter the natural balance of the islands.

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Galapagos hotel supply is very limited and tied at the two main islands. The best way to discover the islands is by one of the many cruise ships operating in the national park.

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Cruises are full board, so the choice of a good boat is usually synonymous with better quality catering and food.

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-Although the recommendation is useful for all visitors, for those who are interested in observing certain species (Red-footed boobies and blue, albatross, Flemish, Penguins, flightless cormorants, etc.) is highly recommended to view the itinerary of the ship that was going to hire before you book as each boat is assigned a route based on cruise ship days.
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Comments (6)

  • home

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    New addition to often travel to the past. Lucky for readers

    Answer

  • Pedro Marquez

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    Soria I did not know this story. IRE to see the collegiate to the cayman. !Live soria!

    Answer

  • Alfonso Polvorinos

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    Thanks Ana, I hope to bring you interesting stories and experiences traveling to you and the other followers of VAP. Greetings

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  • Alfonso Polvorinos

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    Hi Peter, as their slogan says… «Soria, you can't even imagine it». Indeed always full of surprises. Cheers to that beautiful land.

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