Out of My Comfort Zone (In the Best Way): Why the Galapagos Changed Everything

Annette Jackson
Feb 10
5 min read

Are you like me?

You love seeing animals in the water and soaking up the sun… preferably from the deck of a ship… but you’re not exactly the outdoorsy type? You enjoy nature — as long as there’s a comfortable chair, maybe a frozen drink, and a nice safe distance between you and anything that requires hiking boots?

That’s me.

So, when we booked a Galápagos expedition as our first trip of the New Year, I was excited… but also maybe a little in denial about what I had signed up for. The excitement came first — the photos, the wildlife, the bucket-list factor. But reality set in when I opened the packing list a couple weeks before departure. Water shoes. Hiking pants. Dry bags. Reef-safe sunscreen. Motion sickness patches. This was not my usual “sit by the pool and be entertained” type of cruise. This was going to require effort.

And nerves definitely set in. I realized I was heading into something completely outside my comfort zone. But then I thought about the last few years. Since 2020 I’ve made a career change, planned two weddings, and became a grandma many times over. Life had already been stretching me — so maybe I was more adventurous than I gave myself credit for.

At least… I hoped so.

The Journey to the Galapagos

Getting to the Galápagos is an adventure before the adventure. After a long day of planes, airports, and every form of transportation imaginable, we arrived in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The airport hotel felt like an oasis.

Our Lindblad/National Geographic guide was waiting to greet us and walk us through everything — where breakfast would be, when bags needed to be out, what the next morning would look like. They even set the alarm clock in our room so we wouldn’t oversleep. That level of detail pretty much set the tone for the entire trip.

The next morning, we met fellow travelers — the people who would become our floating family for the week — and flew to the islands. When we landed, we boarded a bus… and within minutes faced our first real expedition challenge:

Boarding Zodiacs.

If you’ve never done this, imagine stepping from a dock into a bouncing inflatable boat while trying to look coordinated. The klutz in me was very nervous. But the guides were incredible — steady hands, clear directions, lots of reassurance. Our carry-ons were handled, and our checked luggage was already waiting in our cabins onboard the ship. Everything felt seamless and orchestrated in the best way.

Easing Into Adventure

The first outings were designed to get us comfortable — especially in the water. There were practice snorkels so we could test equipment and build confidence. I appreciated that more than I can explain. It took the fear factor down several notches.

And then came the hikes.

One of the first trails was entirely lava rock — uneven, jagged, and occasionally steep. Definitely not what I would call my natural habitat. But every step came with wildlife rewards.

Sea lions lounged across beaches like they owned the place — lifting their heads slightly as we passed before returning to their naps. The babies were curious and playful, sometimes waddling toward us like we were the entertainment.

The trust these animals had around humans was incredible — something I don’t think I fully understood until I saw it up close.

Life in the Water

If I had to sum up the Galápagos in one phrase, it would be: life everywhere. Snorkeling felt like swimming inside a nature documentary. Schools of fish shimmered around us. Starfish dotted the ocean floor. Sea lions darted and twirled through the water — sometimes swimming right up to people’s cameras like playful puppies.

Kayaking was another first for me — requiring yet another Zodiac transfer (which I never did master gracefully). We paddled among sea turtles and sea lions, soaking in views that felt almost unreal.

One moment none of us will forget involved suddenly finding ourselves next to two very large, very active sea turtles. Let’s just say… we had accidentally floated into a mating moment. There was splashing, laughter, and a quick realization that nature does not pause for tourists.

Even from the ship, wildlife surrounded us. At night, illuminated by the boat’s lights, we watched sharks and sea lions hunting fish right off the deck.

Giants on Land

One of the most moving experiences of the trip was seeing the giant tortoises. At the Charles Darwin Research Station, we learned about breeding programs and conservation work — the science behind protecting these incredible animals.

But the real magic came in the highlands.

We visited a sugar cane farm run by a family who had relocated from mainland Ecuador generations ago. After touring the land and sampling what they produce — including a little moonshine — we geared up in boots and walked out into the fields. Tortoises were everywhere. Huge, ancient, slow-moving giants grazing peacefully across the land. It honestly felt like the farm was raising tortoises instead of crops. Even on the drive back we saw them crossing roads — traffic stopping patiently as they made their way across.

Birds, Beaches & Traditions

The birdlife was just as incredible.

Blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, frigate birds, owls — and babies everywhere. Some fluffy chicks were nearly the size of their parents; others tucked safely beneath wings as we walked carefully past.

On one island we visited the historic Post Office Bay barrel — a centuries-old tradition where travelers leave postcards and hand-deliver others when they return home. Our group loved this. Many are already posting photos delivering mail in person. Such a simple, human connection in the middle of a remote wilderness.

Small Moments That Stayed Big

Some of my favorite memories weren’t the headline ones.

Like walking a beach where we had to step around sleeping mama sea lions while pups nursed beside them. Or spotting penguins — tiny, quick, and unbelievably cute — chasing fish right in front of our Zodiacs. Or gliding through mangroves seeing marine iguanas swimming, turtles surfacing, and sharks cruising below.

Even the glass-bottom boat — which I chose one afternoon when I needed a break from snorkeling — turned out to be a peaceful, incredible way to watch marine life without getting wet.

And the skies…

With no city lights, the stars felt closer, brighter, almost layered across the sky. One night the guides walked us through constellations, pointing them out as we stood in awe.

The Unexpected Gift

What surprised me most about this trip wasn’t the wildlife.

It was me.

I went in thinking this wasn’t really my kind of travel. I like relaxing cruises. Being entertained. Sitting back instead of gearing up. But this experience gave me something different. It pushed me — physically, mentally, emotionally — in ways that felt energizing instead of exhausting.

I tried things that intimidated me. I learned things I never knew. I saw wildlife not from a distance, but up close, sharing space with us. And somewhere along the way, the nerves disappeared. They were replaced with curiosity… confidence… and gratitude.

Final Thoughts

For a trip I truly didn’t think was “for me” … I loved it.

It pulled me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to experience the Galápagos like this — to learn, to explore, and to grow personally.

It wasn’t my typical laid-back, entertain-me cruise. But it was unforgettable in a way I never expected. And if you’re on the fence — wondering if you’re outdoorsy enough, adventurous enough, brave enough…Take it from me.

You might surprise yourself.

Meet the Author