Paradise Revisited
This travel feature explores the Galápagos Islands, contrasting their reputation as an untouched evolutionary laboratory with the reality of modern tourism pressures. The author reflects on the impact of human presence on the archipelago's unique wildlife.
Why it matters
The piece highlights the tension between global tourism and the preservation of fragile ecosystems in world-renowned natural sites.
The Writer’s Way Paradise Revisited What Darwin saw in the Galápagos By Helen Lewis Photographs and videos by Will Matsuda Scroll down to Travel Notes June 22, 2026, 7 AM ET Share Save M y first encounter with a Galápagos tortoise came when the driver of my taxi from the airport attempted a risky overtaking maneuver into the path of an oncoming bus. On the island of Santa Cruz, which is bisected by a single highway, this is a favorite sport: The white Toyota HiLuxes that serve as taxis overtake tour buses, while tour buses overtake trucks. But this time, the driver quickly pulled back behind the slow-moving car ahead of us. “Tortoise,” she explained.
The article provides a descriptive, observational account of travel and environmental concerns without taking a political stance.
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