Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 107

Reader’s Digest: What These Women Love About Being Single

Thank you to Nadine Courtney Jolie for including me in her Reader’s Digest article: “What These Women Love About Being Single“



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COURTESY LISA NIVER

For Los Angeles-based travel and entertainment journalist Lisa Niver, life has been a constant adventure—with both good and bad. “I never thought that my personal and professional life would feel so much like a rollercoaster,” she says. After traveling in Asia for nearly two years with her then-husband, she chose to return to America without him. “I remembered I had rented my condo, sold my car, quit my job and was not sure what to do next to start over. I felt I was a failure. My friends insisted that the failure would have been to stay in an unsafe marriage and that I had to choose myself and remember the Chinese proverb, ‘Fall down 7, Get up 8.’ I picked myself back up and started my life over, challenging myself to do ’50 Scary Things Before 50′ as a way to inspire myself to keep going.” Now, as an award-winning journalist and avid traveler—101 countries and counting—Niver’s future is bright. “After a divorce and living in many cities and countries, I can honestly say at 52 years young, I am happy with my choices and so excited for new adventures. There were times that I never wanted to get out of my pajamas or eat anything but chocolate, but with encouragement from friends and family, I rebuilt my life again and I believe my 50s will be my best decade yet!” 

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The photo in this article is from my trip to my 100th country, Tanzania, right after my 50th birthday! Enjoy the videos of my adventures here:

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Read more about my TV segments, awards, articles, social media and videos on YouTube with over one million views on my site: LisaNiver.com

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Enjoy these videos from one of my recent bucket list adventures to the Galapagos!

Here I am talking underwater about how much I love scuba diving:

[image error]Lisa Niver at Dive-in with PADI at Beaches Turks and Caicos

The post Reader’s Digest: What These Women Love About Being Single appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Join me at Dive-in with PADI LIV+ at Beaches Turks and Caicos

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What happens at a Dive-in with PADI LIV+ Event at Beaches Turks and Caicos? We went scuba diving in the best locations and enjoyed all of the restaurants at Beaches Turks and Caicos. Dive-in with PADI is a Luxury Included Vacation + Events (LIV+) with five days of exhilarating aquatic adventures in turquoise waters.

Do you want to Dive-in with PADI? The next one will be in September 2020 in St Lucia.

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Read about the beginning of our adventures in Meet Me Underwater at Beaches Turks and Caicos

Video 4: Where should I stay at Beaches Turks and Caicos?

For your fantastic holiday at Beaches Turks and Caicos, you might be wondering which village to stay in. The first time I visited,  I enjoyed Italian Village and being right by the giant pool. 

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This time I enjoyed the refined elegance of the Key West Village. I loved my beautiful one bedroom suite and my giant balcony. I ate breakfast on my balcony every day.

Remember all the beverages, all the food and all the scuba diving is included for certified divers.

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Wherever you stay, which ever village you pick, I know you’ll have the most amazing holiday at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

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Video 5: I love diving at Beaches Turks and Caicos Jan 2020

The underwater life is phenomenal. During our dives, we saw so many sharks. We also saw rays, turtles and eels. It was some of the best diving I’ve done. I love diving at Beaches Resorts. The entire team is friendly, helpful, professional and the setting is just so beautiful.

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We went to Jagged Edge where we saw spiny lobster, spotted moray eel and a turtle. At Driveway, we saw crab, lobster, stonefish, trumpetfish and barracuda. There were three sharks that spent quite a bit of the dive nearby. We also went to Rainbow, Eel Garden, Chimney and Whiteface (the Anchor). We saw tiny shrimp and giant lobsters as well as a giant green moray eel swimming along the bottom of the ocean with two groupers near by. At one point, we saw six juvenile barracudas and I loved seeing the giant crabs, angel fish and during the best surface interval ever we saw dolphins and a humpback whale. It was wonderful! 

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Video 6: Join me underwater at Beaches Turks and Caicos Jan 16 2020

You can hear me underwater on this video saying:
“This is Lisa Niver from We Said Go Travel. I am underwater at Beaches Turks and Caicos you should be here with us!”

I look forward to seeing you next time at Dive-in with PADI LIV+ at Beaches Turks and Caicos. Safe travels!

Video 7: Lisa and Michael singing underwater at Beaches Turks and Caicos

Look for more of my Dive-in with PADI LIV+ videos in PART 1 or see more of my Adventures with Sandals and Beaches Resorts right here:

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Read my article in TODAY: Can your family vacation change the world?Image

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The post Join me at Dive-in with PADI LIV+ at Beaches Turks and Caicos appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

A Firefighter’s Family Adventure Under The Sea In Bonaire

Diving is a family
hobby for us, and the ocean has been a part of our lives since the children
were born; we taught our children to dive when they were about thirteen years
old, and we quickly discovered that diving was a great family activity our
family together through the teenage years. This year’s family Christmas trip
was to the island of Bonaire, part of the Dutch Caribbean Netherlands.

Buttenshaw family prepaing to Dive. Photo credit Devon Buttenshaw

Bonaire is located in
the southern Caribbean just off the coast of Venezuela and is considered by
many to be a diver’s paradise. The water is clear and teems with abundant fish
life, the climate is warm year-round, and the water is equally warm. The diving
sites at Bonaire are exceptional easy going, vibrant in marine life, and the
diversity of sites makes it ideal for all levels of divers. Bonaire has
maintained its charm and beauty as the government ensures that all divers take
an orientation to the National Marine Park before they can dive, and all dive
operators on the island are responsible for ensuring this is done before
renting out equipment.

Sunset in Kralendijk. Photo Jason Buttenshaw

One of our favorite
dives was on the site called the Hilma Hooker, a small freighter that
sank with much mystery in 1984 and located at a depth of about 100ft. It is one
of the island’s most popular dive sites. This dive was similar to the others;
excitement hung in the air as we drove to the site, with all our gear loaded up
and our tanks nestled in the bed of the pick-up truck. We are all experienced divers with hundreds of
dives all around the world. One of the boys had just got back from six weeks of
diving in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, and the other son works as a Dive Master in
the Florida Keys, twin brothers sharing a common hobby and only 19 years old.

Hilma Hooker. Photo credit Jason Buttenshaw

We had donned our
gear and swam the short distance out to the marker buoys signaling the dive
site. Bonaire government does a fantastic job of marking every dive site with a
tall floating yellow buoy, and the island is famous for its yellow rocks
marking each site on the road going around the island. We swam out chatting
about the dive; as is usual, we carried out our informal dive briefing. We
discussed the depth we were going to, dive time, and direction we were going to
dive. We do this every dive; many people don’t; however, being a
firefighter/paramedic for over twenty years, safety briefings are the norm for
me.

Tarpon sitting, waiting, watching. Photo Credit Jason Buttenshaw

The twins were
excited about this wreck; since it only sank in 1984, it is in remarkably good
condition. It has numerous swim through opportunities and is the home to many
Tarpon that like to linger in its hold stalking smaller fish who may cross
their path. Mandy, my wife, signaled that she was ready to drop down and go
diving, and the twins signaled they too were ready. We all dropped down, and in
no time, the shadow of the hull loomed into view. What a magnificent sight, the
Hilma Hooker laying on her side, nestled in the sand. We paired up and
dove our plan, the twins enjoying the swim-throughs, Mandy and I content
looking at all the fish, taking photos, and just enjoying the dive.

Green Moray Eel. Photo Credit Jason Buttenshaw

I am a Dad first, diver by hobby, and a firefighter by profession. For me, when I wear my Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), it is a part of my daily job, and I know the risks I take. Removing it in what firefighters call an IDLH (an area Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) means serious injury or even death. Here we were on vacation, and as we swam at 90feet, I watched my two children swim off into the shadows and belly of the wreck. It was a strange sensation, I do my job knowingly aware of the hazards, but as I watched them swim off, I was struck by the fact that we were in essence in an IDLH.

Just boys having fun. Photo Credit Devon Buttenshaw

On this dive, nothing
bad happened. We were all diving within our training and carrying the appropriate safety
equipment.  But in that moment, as I
watched them swim off, I was reminded of how, no matter how old and how much
training our children receive, they will always be our babies. We watch them
grow up, share adventures with them around the world, but at the end of the
day, you must trust them.

Spencer & Devon just practicing neutral buoyancy.
Photo Credit Mandy Buttenshaw

Diving with my children is an amazing experience. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get close to your kids and I hope others can have the same sensation, diving with my children has been one of the greatest gifts we have given to each other as a family. I hope you will consider taking the plunge beneath the sea with your children. I promise it will be worth it.

Want to go on this adventure or others like it? Contact Jason at Fire Fighter Getaways or Mandy at Downunder Journeys and M&K Journeys for amazing experiences.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Mandy was my dive buddy in Vanuatu and she is a world class adventurer and travel planner! Click here to see some of our expeditions in Vanautu.

Lisa, Tree, Mandy and Sue at Mount Yasur Volcano in Tanna, Vanuatu

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What happened at the TravMedia Summit 2020?

Are you wondering which travel conferences to go to? Every year, I try to attend something new and different. Last year, I went to IMM (International Media Marketplaces) for the first time and this year I attended both IMM and the brand new TravMedia Summit  2020 on January 22, 2020 at “SECOND Floor NYC” at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi.

If you are planning to attend in the future, the schedule is Wednesday for the Summit, Thursday is TravMedia’s International Media Marketplace and Friday is the media and trade day for the New York Times Travel Show.

My favorite part was seeing my travel friends and making new connections.

WHAT IS THE TRAVMEDIA SUMMIT?

TravMedia and SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) brought some of North America’s leading and most influential content creators, editors and tourism partners together for networking, panels and inspiration to improve communications within the travel industry.

Panels and speakers included:

Clear Communication: How Journalists and DMOs Can Work Better Together. Larry Bleiberg, Kristian Sonnier and Moderator: Miriam Weiner, SATW 

Keynote Speaker: Barry Neild, Global Editor, CNN Travel

Editors Panel: The Future of Travel Journalism Moderator: Elizabeth Harryman from Westways with Julia Cosgrove from AFAR, Melanie Lieberman from The Points Guy, Michaela Guzy from OTPYM and Sommer Mathis from Atlas Obscura

Industry Discussion: Destinations of Tomorrow: Giving the World a New Sense of Place by Mark Burt, Senior PR Executive, Tourism New Zealand

What Makes a Headline Standout: Georgia Rickard, Editor-at-Large, Virgin Australia

Official Welcome Reception for TravMedia’s International Media Marketplace (IMM) presented by Visit California

Here are my videos from last year at International Media Marketplace and the New York Times Travel Show:

IMM 2019: What happens at IMM in NYC?

NYTTS 2019: Join me to explore the NEW YORK TIMES TRAVEL SHOW 2019

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Meet Me Underwater at Beaches Turks and Caicos

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The first time I went to Turks and Caicos, more than twenty years ago, I fell in love with the white sand beaches, turquoise waters and superb scuba diving. I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the 2020 Dive-in with PADI LIV+ Event at Beaches Turks and Caicos. It is one of their annual Luxury Included Vacation + Events (LIV+) that allows guests to immerse themselves in five days of exhilarating aquatic adventures in turquoise waters. Do you want to Dive-in with PADI? The next one will be in September 2020 in St Lucia.

VIDEO: Welcome to Beaches Turks and Caicos

I flew from Los Angeles to Miami to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos and was happy to be back with the dive team I met last year on my first visit to Beaches Turks and Caicos.

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I have now been to both Sandals Montego Bay for diving and Beaches Turks and Caicos. Did you know that everything is included? 5-Star Global Gourmet dining, unlimited premium drinks, Camp Sesame for kids and even daily scuba diving for certified divers – all included.

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And the scuba diving is amazing! We saw humpback whales, dolphins moray eels, turtles and so many sharks. It was incredible, it is literally a paradise!

VIDEO: Beaches Turks and Caicos Changes the World: Sandals Foundation Projects

When you choose to vacation at Beaches Turks and Caicos, not only can you enjoy the stunning beaches, all-inclusive food and drink but you are also making a difference. Sandals Foundation operates over 100 projects around the Caribbean and in the last ten years Sandals Foundation has assisted more than one million people in the Caribbean.

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When I was at Sandals Montego Bay, I visited Flanker Resource Centre in Montego Bay which is supported by Sandals Montego Bay and the Sandals Foundation. The after-school program provides children with hot meals and many resources including a computer center and an X-BOX room.

During one of our scuba dives at Beaches Turks and Caicos, the divemaster speared several lionfish, and we ate them for lunch at Nepture’s restaurant. They’re so tasty. Check your local Whole Foods store, you might be able to take a bite out of the lionfish problem, by buying a filet at your local store and having them for dinner. Lionfish are an invasive species and are a problem for our reefs which is why culling them is another Sandals Foundation project.

[image error]Beaches Turks and Caicos Dive-in with PADI LIV+ divers eating lion fish

While I was at Beaches Turks and Caicos, I went to see another Sandals Foundation project in action which is a partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation – the social arm of the Real Madrid Academy – to host five days of comprehensive soccer clinics for guests and local students with top coaches from Spain who were brought to both Jamaica and Turks and Caicos for workshops for students aged 9 to 12. There was also a separate day just for training the local coaches.

I love that Sandals Foundation is changing the world one lionfish, and one soccer student at a time. You can help make a difference by vacationing at Beaches Turks and Caicos and participating in a Sandals Foundation activity.

VIDEO: Welcome to the Sesame Street Parade at Beaches Turks and Caicos

When I was little and we lived on Fort Benning Army Base in Georgia, my parents made certain to have a strong television antenna so that I could watch the brand new show called Sesame Street. I loved celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street in Los Angeles with Beaches Resorts and the Sesame Street Roadshow.

When you are at Beaches Resorts, you can watch the Sesame Street Show at Treasure Beach, the Sesame Street Stage Show and the Sesame Street character PARADE! Make sure to also have your photo with your favorite Sesame Street character!

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Look for more of my Dive-in with PADI LIV+ videos in PART 2 or see more of my Adventures with Sandals and Beaches Resorts right here:

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TODAY.com: Cultivating Curiosity in the Galapagos Islands

Thank you to TODAY.com and TODAY Parenting Team for sharing my story: “Cultivating Curiosity in the Galapagos Islands.”

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How can you increase curiosity in your family? While it is an human innate trait, we can inspire more of it. We wonder, we ask questions and we explore our surroundings. Taking your family to the place which was designated as the first World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1978 is definitely on the right path.

[image error]Galapagos Islands

Nearly 200 years ago, Charles Darwin began his five-year voyage circumnavigating the globe as ship’s naturalist on the H.M.S Beagle. He was only 22 years old when he left in 1831 and he observed and collected in every location from fossils, to birds and especially rocks.

In 1835, he reached the Galapagos Islands and noticed the “differences between the inhabitants of the different islands.” Darwin was very curious and Sir Kenneth Robinson, who speaks often about creativity and the lack of it in schools, says that:  “Curiosity is the engine of achievement.”

[image error]Blue Footed Booby on North Seymour Island, Galapagos by Lisa Niver

There is great value in exploration and seeing new sights. I have wanted to see the Blue Footed Boobies since I was a twelve year old girl. When I went off to summer camp, my mom packed Darwin’s book, On the Origin of Species, in my luggage and ever since then, I have always wanted to go.

Last month, I had the opportunity to sail like Darwin in the Galapagos Islands with Origin & Theory by Ecoventura, on their newest mega-yacht, Theory. With fifteen other passengers who soon became fast friends (the yachts host a maximum of 20 passengers), each day we were delighted to discover new species (well, new to us!). We observed, we took photos, we asked questions and we were immersed in learning. 

[image error]Nazca Boobies on Punta Suarez, Espanola, Galapagos Islands, Photo by Lisa Niver

We saw not only the blue footed booby I was waiting for, but I learned that there is also a red footed booby and the Nazca booby! I saw sea lions suckling, giant tortoise mating and penguins danced around us when we were snorkeling in the deep waters.

[image error]Sea lion and her baby at Gardner bay, Espanola, Galapagos Islands, Photo by Lisa Niver

It was truly one of the most magical bucket-list journeys I have been on. The two amazing naturalists answered all of our questions and shared our excitement at seeing marine iguanas swimming, yellow land iguanas eating prickly pear cactus, and red tropic birds flying over the cliff at South Plazas Island. 

[image error]Yellow land iguana on South Plaza, Galapagos Islands, Photo by Lisa Niver

They also have special itineraries designed for teen guests with longer hikes with a faster pace and even more kayaking and snorkeling opportunities. There are opportunities for cultural exchange with local Galapagueño students through Ecology Project International. I participated in Pack with a Purpose and brought stationary supplies that Captain Jhon brought to a local school.

I was entranced by our seven day South and Central Islands itinerary and would return again to visit the North and West Islands. I loved the kayaking, hiking and snorkeling but I hope to return and go scuba diving at Wolf and Darwin Islands someday.

Want to inspire your family to wonder about our world? Take them somewhere where the memories will last a lifetime.

[image error]Sunset at Bartolomé Island in the Galapagos, Photo by Lisa Niver

Want to read more?

Watch all of my Galapagos videos: CLICK HERE

Part One: Traveling to my Dream Destination: The Galapagos Islands

Part Two: Traveling on Ecoventura’s Theory in the Galapagos Islands

Part Three: Sailing the Galapagos Islands on Ecoventura’s Theory

TODAY.com: Cultivating Curiosity in the Galapagos Islands

The post TODAY.com: Cultivating Curiosity in the Galapagos Islands appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Crazy about cooking – a chef’s guide to working on a luxury yacht in the Galapagos Islands

Preparing mouth-watering meals for guests is never easy, especially when they’re out-and-about exploring most of the day and building up big appetites. Add in being located on a boat, with waves, constant motion and potential seasickness – working in a small kitchen – and the challenge gets even harder! Finally, add in the fact that you happen to be sailing around the beautiful but remote Galapagos Islands (with only two food drops per week) and the challenge becomes nigh impossible. For Estuardo Vilela, head chef of the Ecoventura fleet of luxury yachts, this is just a normal week at work. Sam Bradley found a gap in his busy schedule to ask him how he manages.

[image error]Chef Estuardo Vilela hard at work in the kitchen.

Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? 

I grew up in Guayaquil and had a very happy, normal childhood with lots of time playing outdoors with friends. 

At what age did you realise you have a love for cooking and food? And did you have a mentor or childhood hero that helped you learn to cook? 

My mother helped me to start cooking at a very young age, although I can’t remember exactly how young. And no, there were no particular heroes or mentors… I think cooking is just in my blood; it’s what I was born to do. 

[image error]Theory with Kicker Rock (San Cristobal Island) in the background. Photo credit Peter Freire

Can you tell us what a normal day in your life onboard Theory looks like? 

Work starts at 5am and is non-stop until 10pm at night – my only rest is a 30 min lunch break squeezed in sometime in the afternoon.  I have one sous chef who works with me and the two of us are responsible for all meals on board (for guests and crew). The hours are long and the work is hard, but I’m on a “6 week on / 6 week off” rota which certainly helps. 

Producing amazing meals for twenty guests, three times a day, and in a pretty small kitchen (that is constantly moving!) must be very stressful. How do you cope with the pressure? 

A love for cooking and passion for the job! Those are the only things that can get me through the stressful times. 

[image error]Guests on Theory enjoying lunch on the sundeck.

What is the hardest part of the job?

Time away from home and family, especially missing big events like children’s birthdays. Wifi on board makes it a bit easier with skype and whatsapp, but it’s still difficult. 

What is the most exotic dish you have ever made? 

Not long ago we had a charter group on board, and one of the guests had organised rare white truffles. I was very excited to be preparing these for the first time, and the client happened to also be a chef so together we prepared a delicious risotto.  

Have you had any particularly memorable incidents in the kitchen? 

Early on in my career I was working in a hotel in Guayaquil. I was running with a plate of vegetables when I tripped and fell into an oven which happened to be open. Luckily it was off at the time so I didn’t burn myself, but I did get teased by my colleagues for quite a while. 

Do you get to see parts of the Galapagos Islands, and do you have a favourite island or beach? 

Yes, a perk of the job is that we do get to know the islands quite well, and I think the most beautiful place actually happens to be very close to where we are anchored right now. Bartholomew Island, particularly the iconic view from the top looking down, has become my favourite place.  

[image error] The viewpoint from the top of Bartholomew Island. Photo credit Peter Freire.

Ecoventura operates in an incredibly fragile ecosystem. Can you tell us what you, and the company, are doing in terms of sustainability and conservation? 

Yes of course. The regulations are very strict in the Galapagos Islands, and rightly so. Ecoventura is doing a lot to support this, such as getting rid of single-use plastic and recycling as much as possible. For my role in the kitchen we source as much food locally as possible – for example, the lobsters that were served at lunch yesterday were all bought at the local market. We source 70% of the food from the local islands, and it’s only the items that are not available locally, such as beef, which we have to bring over from the Ecuadorian mainland. 

Lots of efforts is being taken to protect the Galapagos Islands. What do you think they will look like in 50 years’ time? 

That’s a tough question, because over the last few years I’ve seen it change quite a lot. The number of tourists has grown, which has meant more food produced, more fish caught for the markets and more tourist boats operating around the islands. Having said that, the government has done really well to try and restrict activities in order to protect these islands. There are restrictions in place to prevent overfishing, and a limit to the number of tourist boat permits issued, which helps a lot. I really hope that these efforts are successful, and the islands will still be just as special in 50 years’ time as they are now. 

What is your favourite part of the job? 

It sounds like a cliché but it’s true – smiling happy guests are the best reward. And it’s even better when we have “foodie” guests on board, clients who are very passionate about food and ask me lots of questions, or want to get into the kitchen and get involved with some of the food preparation. 

[image error] The restaurant onboard Theory.

More information: Visit www.ecoventura.com for details of the cruises.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sam Bradley and I traveled together on Ecoventura in December 2019. He interviewed Chef Estuardo and I filmed Sam’s antics! Enjoy the video:

Want to read more?
See all of our adventures in the Galapagos by video: CLICK HERE

Part One: Traveling to my Dream Destination: The Galapagos Islands

Part Two: Traveling on Ecoventura’s Theory in the Galapagos Islands

Part Three: Sailing the Galapagos Islands on Ecoventura’s Theory

TODAY.com: Cultivating Curiosity in the Galapagos Islands

The post Crazy about cooking – a chef’s guide to working on a luxury yacht in the Galapagos Islands appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Galapagos is Magic! We Said Go Travel News Jan 2020

January News 2020 with We Said Go Travel:

My trip to the Galapagos was incredible! I had always wanted to see the blue footed boobies and I loved snorkeling with rays, sharks, penguins and walking with iguanas, sea lions and tortoises!

Click here to see all my videos from our adventures on Ecoventura’s Theory









Read about my journey:



 Traveling to my Dream Destination: The Galapagos Islands



[image error]Sea lion and her baby at Gardner bay, Espanola, Galapagos Islands, Photo by Lisa Niver



Traveling on Ecoventura’s Theory in the Galapagos Islands



[image error]Lisa Niver traveling on Ecoventura’s Theory in the Galapagos Islands



Sailing the Galapagos Islands on Ecoventura’s Theory



[image error]Yellow land iguana on South Plaza, Galapagos Islands, Photo by Lisa Niver



TODAY.com: Cultivating Curiosity on the Galapagos Islands



Thank you Ms. Magazine and Carmen Rios for publishing my recent articles:



How Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is Mixing Business with Feminism



[image error]Lisa Niver and Mayor Eric Garcetti at Getty House Nov 2019



25 Years After Beijing, What’s Next for Women Worldwide?



[image error]Lisa Niver at UN Women Meeting at United Nations GA 74 SDG 2030 New York City



Strength in Stories: The Transformative Power of Talking About Breast Cancer



[image error]Living Beyond Breast Cancer Butterfly Ball 2019 featured: Jamil Rivers, Molly Weingart, Donna Noce Colaco, Susan S.Swanson and Jean Sachs, Photo courtesy of LBBC


WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?

Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over one million views on YouTube! (Exact count: 1,136,150 views)

Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 2500 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe!

For more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos and social media: CLICK HERE

Find me on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and at LisaNiver.com.  My social media following is now over 160,000 and I am verified on Twitter.

My fortune cookies said:

“You create enthusiasm around you.”

and

“You are an adventurer—traveling the highway of life.”

I hope this new decade has started very well for you! Thank you so very much for all of your support! Did you read about my WIN at NAEJ AWARDS? I look forward to sharing more about the UN Decade of Change! Lisa

[image error]Lisa Niver wins at NAEJ National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards 2019

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Sailing the Galapagos Islands on Ecoventura’s Theory

Read my articles, “Traveling to my Dream Destination: The Galapagos Islands,” to see videos 1, 2 and 3, and “Traveling on Ecoventura’s Theory in the Galapagos Islands” for video 4, 5 and 6, and below to see our amazing days in video 7, 8, 9 and 10 “Bays and Beaches” Itinerary A on Ecoventura’s Theory.

Video 7: Beautiful Las Bachas and Bartolome Dec 13 2019

At Playa Las Bachas on the northern side of Santa Cruz, we walked near a white sand beach where turtles lay their eggs. We saw a flamingo, we saw three marine iguanas in courtship, and we saw four black-neck stilt birds that were so beautiful. It was an amazing walk. We also saw pelicans and sally lightfoot crabs and more iguanas.

Back onboard, Chef Estuardo prepared a grilled feast with lobster, octopus, chicken and special Ecuadorian sauces. We ate on the sun deck and enjoyed our luxury mega-yacht with stunning views.

In the afternoon, we did one of the most amazing snorkels of my life! We were near Bartholome and we saw penguins, sharks, rays and turtles! It was thrilling! Three penguins swam by me, around me, it was like they were dancing with me. I loved it! I saw three white tip reef sharks and several turtles! WOW! It was too bad that the camera did not work on that adventure but I will always remember it. It was phenomenal. Captain Jhon went snorkeling with us and he loved it too!

We hiked up 400 steps on wooden planking at Bartolome Island for a spectacular panoramic view of Pinnacle Rock. We had a group photo and we saw many islands. 

After our hike, we went on a boat ride and then we saw, even more penguins, and a great blue heron. For sunset, we sat on the sundeck with fresh pizza, fantastic drinks and watched as the sun painted the sky.

We had a marvelous meal in the restaurant with many choices on the menu and then the crew turned into a band and we danced the night away! See the next video for all of the music and dancing!

Video 8: Music and Dancing all night long on Ecoventura’s Theory in the Galapagos

It was a truly spectacular day in Galapagos.

Video 9: South Plaza and North Seymour are Super Dec 14 2019

The South Plaza islands were incredible; in the morning, we saw yellow land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls and colorful sesuvium portulacastrum. There were seven baby sea lions playing together in a pool of water. I could not stop taking photos and video of them. They were adorable. It was like sea lion day care! There were iguanas jumping up onto the Opuntia or prickly pear cactus leaves for a juicy bite. Some of them were suspended in air while chewing! Two iguanas had a pushing match and that was all before our walk island the island.

As we looked out over the cliff edge, we could see several red-billed tropicbirds with their 2 long streaming tail feathers. I loved walking on the path seeing iguanas, many birds and coming back to the water to see the bachelor sea lions frolicking in the water.

In the afternoon, we went deep water snorkeling and saw nearly  50 manta rays. That was marvelous! I absolutely loved it! 

Later in the day at North Seymour Island, we saw frigate birds with the red gular sacs in their throats puffed up looking for mates. We saw golden tuffed juvenile frigates and blue footed boobies sitting on their eggs and with their chicks. It was amazing. We saw many more sea lions. We saw more iguanas and many lava lizards. Do you know how to tell the different between the great and magnificent frigate birds? I was wondering if there was a just okay frigate bird but there is not. The great frigate bird has a green sheen on the plumage on their backs while the magnificence has a purple iridescence in the sunlight. The females are larger than the males.

Back on board, Betsy and I hula hooped on the sun deck. I have hula hooped on trains, yachts and with villagers in Vanuatu. I carry a hula hoop in my luggage.

Our Captain’s farewell party was wonderful but we were all sad at the final briefing when they were talking about the last hike and the last snorkel. I tried to remember: “Don’t be sad that it is over, be glad that you were here!”

The creatures of the Galapagos are waiting for you and the crew of the Theory is the best in the business. I hope you have an amazing exploration of the Galapagos Islands.

Video 10: Leaving Theory and Galapagos for Guayaquil Dec 15 2019

After our final breakfast, we took our last panga ride to the pier and said good-bye to Theory. We walked through the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal and learned about the human history of the Galapagos Islands. 

We took a bus ride into town and had free time to wander. I found t-shirts to buy as souvenirs and took a few more photos of sea lions on the pier. 

We flew back to Guayaquil from San Cristobal and I stayed at Oro Verde Hotel. They have several restaurants, a pool and a fitness center. The hotel is very convenient and walked to Iglesia El Sagrario, Parque Seminario where I saw many iguanas and small turtles, and Malecon 2000. I walked through Barrio Las Penas and saw a holiday dance performance by two student groups. 

Thank you so much to Ecoventura and the entire crew on Theory. My journey in the Galapagos Islands, Las Islas Encantadas or the Enchanted Islands was magical!

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