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Essaouira, Morocco
Biotrek Tours Newsletter |
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Greetings!
"Once a year go some place you've never been before." Sound like something worth taking to heart? Sunny certainly thinks so, and is now braving the cold in an expedition to the Falkland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Will Antarctica be a possible future extension for Biotrek? We hope so. I'm sure she will have lots to share when she comes back, so expect some great photos!
As cold as it has been in Virginia, though, Sunny would be much happier with her toes in the sand, and is looking forward to doing just that this May in Morocco's majestic Sahara desert. She hopes you'll join her!
All the best,
Brandon
Biotrek Tours
81 Main Street
Warrenton, VA 20186
540-349-0040
biotrekadv@aol.com
Visit us online at www.biotrektours.com
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Morocco - May 8-19, 2010
 If there is one color that will leave an indelible impression on your memories of Morocco, chances are that it will be the color blue. Architecture, boats, and textiles all possess brilliant shades of cobalt, inspired perhaps by the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea that wash along the country's beautiful shores.
The French expatriate artist Jacques Majorelle is well known for settling in Marrakesh and establishing a garden where he celebrated a particular shade of cobalt that became known as Majorelle Blue. Living in Marrakesh between 1922 and the early 1960s, Majorelle
designed a villa with a surrounding garden containing a diverse collection of palms, bamboo, and cacti from 5 different continents that he opened for the public's enjoyment in 1947. The garden also contains incredible cobalt buildings, canals and fountains, and has since been hailed as his
creative masterpiece: a sanctuary where art and nature merge. It currently houses the Museum of Islamic Art.
Evidence of Marjorelle blue is now visible
throughout the country, and for those who travel with us in May the
Majorelle Garden will be one of the highlights of our visit to
Marrakesh.
Booking for Morocco is going on right now, however, as our tours are limited to groups of 10 people, space is limited. Please call our office at (540) 349-0040 or email us at biotrekadv@aol.com to reserve your spot.
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The Galapagos - July 2 - 12, 2010
The Galapagos Islands are world-renowned for their endemic flora and fauna, spectacular snorkeling, and for playing a significant role in Charles Darwin's conception of the landmark theory of evolution. Many unique creatures can be found on these volcanic islands, but for this newsletter we will be featuring two of our favorites: the Marine Iguana and the Waved Albatross. The Marine Iguana (which looks surprisingly like Godzilla's little cousin) is the world's only sea-going lizard, capable of diving to depths of close to 50 feet and holding its breath for up to 30 minutes. Because the water is salty, and the Iguana's dietary staple is marine algae, they have special nasal glands that allow them to later sneeze out the salt they ingest. Now you will know why all these iguanas are sneezing at you as they bask in the sun!  
The Waved Albatross is a large migratory sea bird that flies to the Galapagos Islands to breed during the summers. With a wingspan that can exceed lengths of 7.5 feet, the Waved (or Galapagos) Albatross is also one of the largest flying birds in the world. During our visit to the Islands there is a possibility that we will even be fortunate enough to witness the courtship ritual, which is perhaps better described as "Albatross fencing" when a pair of birds parry each other's bills back and forth while exchanging courteous bows. It is highly entertaining! Once the ritual is completed, the pair will be mated for life. A pair of Albatrosses "fencing"  Our boat, the Nemo, at sunset |
The Galapagos In Perspective/Testimonial
"Ever since I was
a young girl and read Charles Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle, I have wanted to
go to the Galapagos
Islands. While I traveled extensively in my 20's the opportunity to visit these
unique islands came serendipitously in my 50's.
Sunny Reynolds, a
local photographer, and her company, Biotrek Adventure Travels, (540/ 349-0040:
www.biotrektours.com ) provided me the perfect way to see these unspoiled
islands. In fact, in my mind, the only way to experience them - with a small
group and in a small boat.
Together with a knowledgeable and friendly crew, you can
ease closer to the shorelines and tuck in tighter to a tropical mangrove.
There's nothing like looking down into the water and catching sight of a golden
manta ray or green turtle.
One of my most
unforgettable experiences on this trip was the afternoon that a school of
dolphins decided to run with our boat. It was a roller coaster ride atop the
waves of the Pacific. We were ocean drenched and deliriously happy as these
playful creatures jumped in unison within feet of the bow.
But then there
were other mornings, while walking on ancient trails, that we encountered the
mating dance of the blue-footed boobie or the frenzied flight of the
red-pouched frigate bird or swam with a family of sea lions or stopped to photograph the psychedelic colors of the
Sally-Lightfoot crab or stare into the face of an aged tortoise. Priceless Memories!"
- Anita Sherman
Warrenton,
Virginia
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Galapagos Wildlife Seen by Biotrek's Travelers
The Giant Tortoise in the wild/Sea
Turtles
Marine Iguanas
Land Iguanas
Lava Lizards
Geckos
Galapagos Sea Lions
Galapagos Fur Seals
Dolphins
Galapagos Sulphur Butterfly Galapagos blue butterfly
Large Painted Locust
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Ghost Crab
Hermit Crab
Galapagos Penguins
Waved Albatross
Storm Petrels
Red-billed Tropicbirds 
Brown Pelicans
Blue-footed Boobies
Naska Boobies
Red-footed Boobies
Magnificent Frigate birds
Great Frigate birds
Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls
Sooty Terns
Black-necked Stilts
Common Terns
Great Blue Herons
Great Egrets
Snowy Egrets
Lava Herons
Yellow-crowned Night Herons
Great Flamingos
White-cheeked Pintail Ducks
American Oystercatchers
Galapagos Hawk
Short-eared Owl
Galapagos Doves
Galapagos Mockingbirds
Vermilion Flycatcher
Yellow Warbler
Large Ground Finches, cactus finch
White and Black Tipped Sharks Hammerhead Sharks
Rays
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