A trip filled with serendipity

Like most great ideas, it came out of nowhere. The decision to travel to the Galapagos seeded and sprouted out of the most mundane circumstances. It was a typical weekday night and I was browsing aimlessly around the Internet. My online searches usually meander every which way until I am bored and exit the world wide web. Something changed this particular night, however; I suddenly decided to journey into cyber world with a purpose. Every year, I take a trip. Pack a suitcase, fill a carry-on bag with books, and get out of dodge for a bit. I've toured cities throughout Eastern Europe, sailed through the Panama Canal, walked the streets of New York City, hiked in Alaska and snorkeled in Hawaii. Traveling is certainly one of my biggest and boldest passions. It is more than just a chance to see all the magnificent treasures in the world, traveling allows me to break away from all the routines and daily schedules. The slate is wiped cleaned and I feel as though I am given a fresh start.  
So I sat that night trying to pinpoint a new place to explore when another thought suddenly popped into my mind. I should visit the Galapagos Islands. I'll admit, up to that point the archipelago was never really on my list of places to go. Sure, I learned about the islands during lessons about Charles Darwin and viewed photographs of the islands' stunning wildlife but it never dawned on me to travel there until that evening. A group of islands off of Ecuador untouched by time and human hands appeared as a fantastic location to wipe everything clean and start afresh.
It all flowed seamlessly after that; I discovered a website for a cruise that National Geographic and Lindbald Expeditions teamed up to provide and made my decision to travel in May.
I just returned from the trip. It was better than I expected and when I think about it, I feel a glow. The trip encompassed everything I love about travel- following your heart desires, feeling uncertain about where you are being lead but knowing you will be immersed in something completely fresh and different and return home anew.