68 | January 2012 | woman this month Travel The Low-down: The Galápagos — 14 major and many smaller islands spanning the Equator, 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador — remains the world’s most biologically intact tropical archipelago. Giant tortoises lumber across the lava rocks, while iguanas defy desert stereotypes and plunge into the sea. X-factor: But pollution, over-fishing and development are harming efforts to conserve the habitat and wildlife. A tourism boom is also taking its toll. The islands are mostly under the control of Galapagos National Park, which restricts access to designated areas. Still, people over the years have unwittingly or deliberately introduced invasive life-forms that can undermine the natural order. Scientists warn that the damage could be irreversible. And yet the islands beckon. Best for: Evolution disciples and the merely curious who can experience the conspicuously adapted wildlife, as did Charles Darwin in 1835, kindling his discovery of the process of evolution by natural selection. Tread lightly and only if you respect the seriousness of the issue. These islands do not need tourists who will treat this as a two-day stopover as part of a mega-cruise. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow We’ve all got our bucket list of scribbled down dream destinations. You might think you have all the time in the world to cross them off, but here are three sites that you absolutely must visit before it is too late! Elma Bartholomew Galapagos Islands
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==