My South American trip started in Buenos Aires and went down to Ushuaia, across to Uruguay and then back to Argentina, to Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. I was traveling for about four months before making it up to Ecuador. As I arrived, I started to see more news about coronavirus reaching South America.
People were saying, ‘Maybe you won’t get to go to the Galápagos?’ I remember thinking, ‘Oh no, that’s the one place I wanted to go the most.’ At the airport to the Galápagos, they were already screening for the virus, but I made it to Santa Cruz safe and sound.
Things were normal for the first couple of days. I could do the things that I wanted to, like scuba diving with the hammerheads – around 100 of them in total. But there were a lot of rumours going around about what was happening.
When I reached Isabela Island, it was 17 March, and they told me that the island was being closed. I had arrived here on the very last ferry.
Of all the places that I’ve visited on this trip, this was the best possible place to be during the lockdown. It’s a very peaceful island, with about 2,500 people. I’d arranged to stay with a host family and they were happy for me to stay as long as I needed.
And, why would I leave here? I registered with the embassy and told them where I was, and my family at home in Scotland said, ‘Fair enough, you’ve probably made the right decision.’
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Vermont, USA
The Wanderlust team relocated to New England for part of this issue, as we explored a lush state filled with outdoor escapes, historic towns... and lashings of maple syrup
Unique North America
See a side to the USA and Canada beyond the big cities and discover incredible stories and special wildlife with our pick of the trips
The call of the Rockies
From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities
On the edge of history
In south-west Colorado lies the largest archaeological preserve in the USA, a series of vast cliff dwellings whose residents 'vanished' overnight. But was the answer to their disappearance in plain sight?
Tigers burning bright
As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing
SEASON'S GREETINGS
From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences
Waking a sleeping GIANT
A slow drive along the North Wales Way, from the English border to Anglesey, reveals not only a land of incredible local food and castles, but a region that is slowly reimagining itself
The rebirth of old JEDDAH
As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage
Star-studded escapes
Wilderness, history and wildlife combine at some of Britain's most iconic stargazing sites, as more and more travellers are looking to the heavens
