Going Home !

Friends,

After leaving Australia in January 1999, Anna and I would like to announce that we are going home !

We simply had no clue that this journey would take us to live and visit so many places. The privilege this has afforded us, is to meet so many great people that have become dear friends and our extended family. From a personal standpoint we have gained much by being away but have also deeply missed Australia and our family.

Along the way we have made some profound life learnings (perhaps these are not so special for you) :

First we have learnt that indeed all our lives are a journey, there are many paths and we alone can determine the route and eventually how happy we are when we arrive.

Second that this happiness is a journey in itself. To this end I read a quote from Crystal Boyd that captures this perfectly:

"There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a not a destination.
So work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt, and, Dance like no one's watching...”

Thirdly and finally the journey is just beginning. There is still much more to be seen that can ever be seen and more to do that can ever be done - paraphrased from lyrics from Tim Rice and Elton John.

Will you join me on our next adventure?

What is so special about the Galapagos?

You can imagine that the world was once like the Galapagos Islands -- everywhere. You feel that you are indeed in the 'Garden of Eden' where all life is unafraid of man. However there are two feelings that have to be overcome:

First that you, yourself have fears of these animals, birds. This is a natural sensation, as you cannot be used to being is such close and I mean really close proximity to nature. Perhaps this was the way it was intended to be, but regardless of that it is unnatural.

Second if there is any rejection of the idea of 'evolution', then certainly the Galapagos Islands will be testing your beliefs with data simply in front of you. The islands are amazingly diverse and the inhabitants are 'unique' and their adaptations to live in this harsh environment is quite incredible.

After being in many exotic places around the world - Petra, Peru, Tibet, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, South Africa, Laos, India, Burma etc this is the most amazing place I've been to (fullstop)

My BLOG is named Darwin Boy where I was born, so travelling in the footsteps of Sir Charles Darwin had special meaning to me. Also the Galapagos are blessed with a species of birds that are incredible: Boobies. These come in Blue Footed, Red Footed and Nazcar Boobies -- as it happens my childhood nickname was Boobie. I'm sure my parents never read any Charles Darwin books -- hence this one of life's coincidences.

As the trip neared the end it was interesting to hear my fellow passengers talk about going back to the "real world". David Attenborough was quoted in saying: "a disconnection from the natural world means urban dwellers are losing sight of life's realities" It is easy to argue that this is the "real world!". We saw life and death played out everyday....there were new born sea lions with the placenta being eaten by birds, Albatross were doing mating dances, Sea Turtles were mating in the water, Male Seal Lions were fighting over their harem, Marine Iguanas were headbutting and fighting for territory......it was an unscripted joy to witness and see these amazing sights.

Indeed words are inadequate to describe this place.....you simply have to do go before you die and do promise not to leave any footprints, so that others can have this priviledge.

(enjoy)

http://cid-82f42d956301f0d2.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Galapagos%20Island%20-%20Ecuador?ref=1