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.’
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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This story is from the September 2020 edition of Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Vermont, USA
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A new dawn for the Garifuna community
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On the edge of history
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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
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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
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