Guest post: dad joins daughter
“Penned by my wonderful father, Alan Phillips.”
Where to start?
Writing a guest post to the Someday Sherpa blog is both an honour and a daunting task. Lynne and I joined the great caravan of the Lisa and AJ (Sherpa) odyssey this July in Ecuador where we were reunited with Lisa after almost a year.
Sadly AJ had already departed for the UK to attend various weddings and to start climbing the great greasy bureaucratic pole of obtaining an Australian permanent residency visa - a task with little chance of success given his stubborn and obdurate refusal to embrace, even tokenistically, the great emblematic Vegemite experience. Unbelievable.
So, the next step was to share (almost) the final stage of the Someday Sherpa experience by travelling to the Galápagos Islands for seven nights exploring this biological wonderland on a two masted schooner wonderfully named The Beagle. It seemed only proper to travel on a boat so aptly badged.
There would be little point in trying to recite the wonders of our Galapagos experience because I have seen what Lady ex-Client has penned on the topic and she nails it beautifully. But, I have to at least allow myself a little gush.
The Galapagos experience is a real life changer. It it a kaleidoscopic biological feast whether on land or via facemask and snorkel. My neck was in non stop swivel mode. The Beagle regime was amazing. It was lead by a guy called Pedro who showed us his Galapagos with great passion and fabulous knowledge. Pedro is a biology graduate and is currently completing an MBA so is well armed. Our party of twelve included three biologists and two UN officials one of whom was a civil conflict expert currently engaged in brokering talks between The Colombian government and the Farrk guerrillas. In all, a very stimulating group to be with.
The Beagle crew xox
Our friend and guide, Pedro
So the Phillips caravan moved on to Quito, Ecuador's capital for three nights. Walking tours, gallery visits, shops, funicular trips have occupied us here and opened our eyes to the joy for life which seems to pervade Central and South America despite its obvious poverty. Friendliness and helpfulness are the hallmark for me.
I'll miss it.
- Alan Phillips
Instagram: @thelisaphillips #somedaysherpa
