We started our trip at the Napo Wildlife Center in the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. This conservation project was started by the Añangu tribe to protect the rainforest while also providing income for the community. We saw firsthand the new school and healthcare improvements funded by the profits from the Center.

Our first day on the Amazon, we went canoeing down a tree-covered creek, the sun peeking through wherever it could, with our guide, Pedro, and paddler, Clever. Pedro warned us to 'expect nothing and appreciate everything,’ but as soon as we left the dock, we saw squirrel monkeys, a caiman and many species of birds. We drifted on, being as quiet as we could, when suddenly Pedro's hand popped up to signal Clever to stop paddling. We all tensed, waiting and watching. Suddenly, a head with tiny little ears and big round eyes lifted out of the black water. It was giant river otter, its long muscular body moving effortlessly in the water.

In the Galapagos, we cruised from island to island on a 16-passenger yacht. The Galapagos is 97% national park which meant that boarding a boat let us see parts of the archipelago that we wouldn't have if we had only stayed in a hotel. We were there to see the many species found nowhere else on Earth, including marine iguana, the only type of lizard that feeds in the sea. There are so few predators here that animals aren’t afraid, so they get up close and personal with visitors. So close in fact that it is common for Darwin's finches to land on your shoulders, especially if they see the rays of the sun reflected in a bottle of water. The finches like the other animals see humans as trustworthy companions, a refreshing change.

There was something incredible to see every direction we turned. Snorkeling at Floreana, we got distracted looking at swarms of colorful fish, but when we turned around, we were surrounded by sea turtles. The huge reptiles glided along slowly, not bothered at all by our proximity — they were so close we could reach out and touch them. Then some sea lions began swimming circles around us, elevating the moment even further.

We ended our trip in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz with some scuba diving to see the marine life, including yet more sea turtles, sea lions, rays, sharks, and even a marine iguana feeding underwater. There was something magical about seeing the islands from land after a few days of cruising. Staying in the small town of Puerto Ayora, which has a population of just over 12,000, gave us a glimpse into the communities that live symbiotically with nature. An island where sea lions still walk down the streets, sometimes use the day beds on the beach, and wait in line at the fish market to check out the catch of the day. Two nights with the sea-lions both above and below the water was the perfect end to an incredible trip. Next up- getting married!