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Meet the unique species
of the Galápagos
These islands, born from violent volcanic
activity (some of it still kicking off)
in the Pacific Ocean are famed for the unique
species that have evolved here. Stepping gingerly
from expedition ship to Zodiac boat to the sharp
black rock on dry land, you’ll quickly sense the
abundance and great variety of creatures all
around: seaweed-munching iguanas, monstrous
tortoises, flightless cormorants, tropical Galápagos
penguins and the superbly-named bright-orange
Sally Lightfoot crabs among them. The advice
is to never step too close to the wildlife here, but also
to be prepared for the casual nonchalance with
which it may waddle/ flap/ scuttle towards you
(www.coxandkings.co.uk; 11-day Ecuador
& Galápagos Experience tour from ` 3,61, 70 0 ).”On Fernandina
Island, marine
iguanas as dark
as the lava rocks
they basked
on sneezed
in my face”
Peter Grunert, Lonely Planet group editor33
Hang out with sloths
in Costa Rica
If you want to take it really easy
on your next holiday, little could be more relaxing
than spending your days watching sloths from
the vantage point of a luxury retreat in Costa Rica.
Nayara Resort, Spa & Gardens, near the Arenal
volcano, has opened a sanctuary for the notoriously
slow-moving creatures. Numbers of sloths residing
locally have greatly increased following the planting
of 300 Cecropia trees – their main food source.
During a stay here, you can also expect
to see hummingbirds, tree frogs and macaws
(www.arenalnayara.com; from ` 23,400).TRAVEL TO STARE INTO
THE WILD
Marvel at seaweed-munching iguanas, get up close
with polar bears in Canada, and indulge in other
unique wildlife experiencesAugust 2019 101