Safari Lessons for Life
First pulished in sixtyandme.com August 31, 2026
I recently returned from a visit to Southern Africa. The experience was beyond all expectations. Because the game reserve was private, they have strict rules about the number of vehicles that could be near an animal. The animals are never fed. They have become habituated to vehicles. It helps that they have been safe from hunting and poaching for several generations.
Can you imagine sitting right next to a resting lion or leopard? Stay in the vehicle, of course! Once you get out, you become part of the food chain. Elephants walk right by you. Giraffes, wild dogs and white rhinos simply go about their lives. Wow.
We went on two 3-hour “drives” per day in a six-seat converted Land Rover. It was open air, so great for taking pictures. We left on our first drive at dawn, 6:30 am. With the 10-hour time zone change, it didn’t feel early because my body could not tell what time it was anyway.
The afternoon drives were from 3:30 pm to 6:30 p...
The Galapagos - Still a Love Story!
THE GALAPAGOS: MY LOVE ADVENTURE
The Galapagos trip turned out to be the consummation of the Love Story article series I wrote for Sixty and Me, which covered self-love, love for friends, and mature love.
This article will describe a little about the adventure as well as the Valentine’s marriage proposal.
Spoiler alert: I said “Yes.”
Getting There
It was a long day! I flew from the west coast in the US. Most flights connect through Panama, a delightful airport. Then it is on to Guayaquil, Ecuador. If you make the same trip, I recommend spending a day there if you can. It is the largest city in Ecuador. Enjoy walking the Malecon along the Guayas River and find a good place to eat. You will enjoy the street performers and Ecuadorian people.
Then on to the Galapagos, usually using LATAM airlines. It is a two-hour flight.
The Islands – The Equator Runs Through It
Most people
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