Tours and Vacations for Women

Books

RECOMMENDED READING

Travellers' Wildlife Guides Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands by David L. Pearson, Les Beletsky, Priscilla Barrett. Travellers to Ecuador want to experience tropical forests and other stunning habitats and catch glimpses of exotic wildlife: toucans and parrots, monkeys and anteaters, frogs and toads, crocodiles and snakes. On the Galápagos Islands, curious visitors want to see with their own eyes the exotic, unique, tame wildlife that stimulated Charles Darwin to formulate the theory of evolution. In this book is all the information you need to find, identify, and learn about Ecuador's magnificent animal life. The authors, professional biologists, selected for color illustrations more than 500 of Ecuador's most common insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals -- the species you are most likely to see. In one easy-to-carry, entertainingly written, beautifully illustrated book, you will have as constant companion on your journey: <P>- Identifying and location information on the most frequently spotted animals - Up-to-date information on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of the families of animals to which the pictured species belong - Information on Ecuador's habitats and on the most common plants you will encounter - Brief descriptions of the region's most frequently visited parks and reserves.
The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide by Robert S. Ridgely, Paul J. Greenfield. The Birds of Ecuador comprehensively treats the nearly 1600 species of birds that can be found in mainland Ecuador. The authors describe Ecuador this way: "One of the wonders of the natural world. Nowhere else is such incredible avian diversity crammed into such a small country. . . . Birds are, happily, numerous in many parts of Ecuador: even the downtown parks of the big cities such as Quito and Guayaquil host their complement." Volume II, the field guide volume of this two-volume set, contains 96 full-color plates and facing pages of descriptive text, a color map of Ecuador, along with two line drawings of bird anatomy, 115 silhouette outlines, and nearly 1600 distribution maps. All species are illustrated in full color, including migrants and vagrants and visually distinctive subspecies. The text focuses on the field identification aspects of each species, including their behavior, vocalizations, and nest appearance. The two volumes of The Birds of Ecuador are available separately or may be purchased as a slipcased set.
Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galápagos Islands: An Identification Guide by Andy Swash, Rob Still. This simple-to-use, pocket-size volume offers a comprehensive guide to the unique wildlife of the Galápagos, encompassing all the birds, mammals, and reptiles a visitor to these extraordinary islands might encounter. The second edition corrects and amends plates and text, as well as adds six new photos of the whales.
Galápagos: The Islands That Changed the World by Paul D. Stewart. Rocky, fragile, beautiful, strange—the Galápagos archipelago is unlike any other place on earth. Its geology, its unique flora and fauna, and its striking role in human history intersect in surprising and dynamic ways. This book is the most wide-ranging and beautifully illustrated book available on the famous islands. Not since Darwin’s Naturalist’s Voyage has a book combined so much scientific and historic information with firsthand accounts that bring the Galápagos to life. Galápagos: The Islands That Changed the World describes how tragedy and murderous pirates curtailed settlement of the islands and how the islands’ pristine nature, spectacular geology, and defining isolation inspired Darwin’s ideas about evolution. The book explores the diverse land and marine habitats that shelter Galápagos species and considers the islands’ importance today as a frontier for science and a refuge for true wilderness. The book’s extensive gazetteer provides details about endemic plants and animals as well as travel advice about visitors’ sites, diving, photography, when to go, and what to take. Vividly illustrated throughout, this guide is an indispensable reference for natural history enthusiasts, armchair travelers, and island visitors alike.
Galápagos by Kurt Vonnegut. Galápagos takes the reader back one million years, to A.D. 1986. A simple vacation cruise suddenly becomes an evolutionary journey. Thanks to an apocalypse, a small group of survivors stranded on the Galápagos Islands are about to become the progenitors of a brave, new, and totally different human race. In this inimitable novel, America’s master satirist looks at our world and shows us all that is sadly, madly awry–and all that is worth saving.
The Queen of Water by Laura Resau, María Virginia Farinango. Born in an Andean village in Ecuador, Virginia lives with her large family in a small, earthen-walled dwelling. In her village of indígenas, it is not uncommon to work in the fields all day, even as a child, or to be called a longa tonta—stupid Indian—by members of the ruling class of mestizos, or Spanish descendants. When seven-year-old Virginia is taken from her village to be a servant to a mestizo couple, she has no idea what the future holds. In this poignant novel based on a true story, acclaimed author Laura Resau has collaborated with María Virginia Farinango to recount one girl's unforgettable journey to self-discovery. Virginia's story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world. It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope.
Moon Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands by Ben Westwood. This full-color guide to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands includes vibrant photos and easy-to-use maps to help with trip planning. Seasoned traveler and journalist Ben Westwood leads adventurers to off-the-beaten-path experiences in Ecuador, from riding a train up the steep switchbacks of the famous Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) to diving off of the Galápagos Islands, where the waters are abundant with ocean life. Complete with information on exploring the colonial architecture of Quito's Old Town, enjoying the lively waterfront of the Malecón 2000 in Guayaquil, and climbing volcanoes in Sangay National Park, Moon Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.
Cultureshock! Ecuador (Cultureshock Ecuador: A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette) by Nicholas Crowder. CultureShock! Ecuador is a must for anyone wishing to visit or settle in Ecuador. Packed with essential information, resource guides, and language tips, this book covers every practicality, and provides an in-depth understanding of the people and culture of this diverse country which is also known for its Panama hats and many species of turtles. Become accustomed to Ecuadorian etiquette and understand the concept of asi es la vida (life is so). Be aware of the differences between the Quechua, Huaorani, and Cayapas peoples and be fully prepared should you fall ill to Chagas disease or malaria. CultureShock! Ecuador is the comprehensive guide that will lead you through the ups and downs of settling into life in this fascinating country and help you to appreciate what it truly means to be in Ecuador.
Galápagos: A Natural History, Revised and Expanded by Michael H. Jackson. Twenty thousand copies of the first edition of Galápagos were sold. An attractive and comprehensive guidebook, this work has been completely revised and updated by the author. The reader will find an easy-to-use text which details the natural history of the plants and animals found in the Galápagos Islands. Management and conservation of the Galápagos National Park is discussed, and visitor information and notes about the various tourist sites are given. An index and checklist of plants and animals with page references and a glossary of technical terms are provided. New photographs have been added.
Darwin’s Journal: The Galápagos Paperback by Charles Darwin. Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist who established that all species of life have descended over time from a common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory with compelling evidence for evolution in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, overcoming scientific rejection of earlier concepts of transmutation of species.
Island: A Story of the Galápagos by Jason Chin. Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos Islands almost 200 years ago, only to discover a land filled with plants and animals that could not be found anywhere else on earth. How did they come to inhabit the island? How long will they remain? Thoroughly researched and filled with intricate and beautiful paintings, this extraordinary book by Award-winning author and artist Jason Chin is an epic saga of the life of an island―born of fire, rising to greatness, its decline, and finally the emergence of life on new islands. Chin's approach makes this book a must-have common core tool for teachers and librarians introducing scientific principals to young students.